FC Barcelona: Joan Laporta reveals the behind of Xavi’s departure and does not rule out his return

Xavi as coach of FC Barcelona, ​​it’s over. After two and a half years at the club, the former midfielder who won a La Liga and a Spanish Super Cup during the 2022/2023 season was put aside in favor of Hansi Flick. A file from the coach which will have been trying for the Blaugranas and their president Joan Laporta. Questioned by the Catalan club’s media, the Spanish leader lifted the veil on what had happened. First of all, he wanted to thank and congratulate Xavi for his results: “Xavi did a good job. He took over the team at a time of maximum difficulty.” Then he went into detail…

On January 27, FC Barcelona lost 5-3 against Villarreal. A match which sounded the final blow for Xavi in ​​a complicated season. The latter did not see himself continuing, but he was finally convinced to stay to finish the season. “Things didn’t go well. Xavi told us that he didn’t see himself being able to resist the pressure. I accepted that the season was considered over because Xavi is a culé at heart and it was better not to change coach mid-season” continues Joan Laporta. The latter was also surprised by the change in Xavi’s speech: “he tells us that he sees himself capable of making a Barça champion. There is a press conference during which he modifies his speech and a meeting with the sports director during which he modifies his requests.

Laporta does not close the door to Xavi

A sequence that did not please Joan Laporta: “this makes me think that new impetus needs to be given to get the most out of this team.” This new momentum is Hansi Flick who is supposed to bring it and Joan Laporta is very happy to be able to count on the expertise of the German coach: “Flick sees himself capable of competing with anyone with this team. This was decisive (…) I take responsibility for the decision as for all decisions, with my board of directors. But we also take into account the decision of the sports management. It gave us a lot of confidence to see that he knows the team more than we thought.”

If he valued the choice to bet on Hansi Flick for the future, Joan Laporta explained that the end of the collaboration with Xavi had taken place according to the rules. This therefore does not close the door to Xavi returning to FC Barcelona in the future: “Xavi is a legend and his enthusiasm made us make the decision to ratify him. From the moment he made these statements and substantially changed his demands, the sports management did not see it clearly and I feel that I must give this impetus. Management has the power to make these decisions and rectify them wisely, as Xavi also did. We finished very elegantly. He kept his word, so did we, and we reached an agreement. Its doors are open, because it’s a culé at heart. We finished well and now we are on the path to continue winning.” A separation without too much fuss between Xavi and Barça according to Joan Laporta.