Real Madrid manager gives his take on Xavi’s sacking and Barcelona DNA

Speaking in an interview with El Chiringuito (h/t SPORT), Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has given his opinion on Barcelona sacking Xavi Hernandez as manager.

Barcelona relieved Xavi of his managerial duties this week with the Spanish tactician taking charge of his last game against Sevilla on Sunday.

The Catalans have also named a replacement already with Hansi Flick replacing the club legend as the new first-team head coach.

Ancelotti’s take on Xavi’s sacking

Now, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has opened up on seeing Xavi being sacked by Barcelona, stating that it might have been the best way forward for everyone involved given how things had gotten bad between the two parties.

“It’s part of a coach’s job. I think it bothers Xavi a little bit because of what he has done, because I think it is the first time he has been sacked, but with time I think he will understand it as part of the job,” Ancelotti said.

“When there is not a good relationship between the club and the coach, the best thing to do is to separate. It has happened to me many times, it happened to me at Napoli, at Bayern Munich, at Chelsea…,” he added.

“It’s better to separate and I think it’s good for Xavi and maybe it’s good for Barcelona.”

Ancelotti believes Xavi stepping down was best for himself and Barça. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

On the Barcelona DNA

One of the factors behind Xavi’s sacking is understood to be the lack of adherence to the Barça DNA and the club’s style at times when the team played.

Giving his two cents on the matter, Ancelotti remarked: “Barça have created their history in recent years thanks to a very clear playing identity with players of this profile: Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets….”

However, the Real Madrid manager also stated that any manager has to adjust according to the profile of players at his disposal, saying:

“100%. There is no doubt about it. If you have Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets and Messi, it was the most appropriate way to play football. But when you have another profile, I don’t know if it’s the way to play football.

“Now everyone talks about coming out from the back, but if you have defenders, as they say in Italy with square feet, the best way is to play as quickly as possible in the opposition half, with a long ball.”

When asked who he thought is the best manager at this moment, Ancelotti named Barcelona legend and current Man City coach, Pep Guardiola, saying: “At the moment? Josep Guardiola.”