Squad doubts led to Xavi exit, says Barcelona president Laporta
The HinduBarcelona president Joan Laporta said on Tuesday that he decided to sack coach Xavi Hernandez after the former midfielder expressed doubts about the squad. Xavi, who joined Barcelona on a three-year deal when Dutchman Ronald Koeman left in 2021, led the Catalan giants to their 27th league title last season. “Xavi did a good job, he took over the team at a time of maximum difficulty, last year we won the league and the Super Cup, but this year things haven’t worked out,” Laporta told Barca One. “That made me realise that I had to give another impulse, it made me think again, and I thought of Hansi Flick to get the best out of this squad.” Barca has been criticised for their treatment of club greats such as Xavi, Koeman and all-time top scorer Lionel Messi, who left the club for Paris St Germain in 2021.