Barcelona have sacked manager Xavi Hernandez, weeks after he made a U-turn and decided to stay at the club.

Barcelona announced the removal of Xavi in a statement on Friday.

The club noted: “Today Friday, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has informed Xavi Hernandez that he will not be continuing as first team coach in the 2024-25 season.

“The meeting happened at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper and was also attended by sporting vice-president Rafa Yuste, director of sport Anderson Luís de Souza, Deco, Xavi, Oscar Hernandez, and Sergio Alegre.

“FC Barcelona wishes to thank Xavi for his work as coach, as well as for his inimitable career as a player and as team captain, and wishes him every future success in the world.

“Xavi Hernandez will be coaching the team for the last time in Sunday’s game away to Sevilla.

‘The club needs change’: Xavi to leave Barcelona at end of season

“During the course of the next few days, FC Barcelona will be making an announcement regarding the new first team structure.”

In January, Xavi said he would leave at the end of the season but, after a run of strong form in April, he and President Laporta agreed the coach would stay for the next campaign, with his contract expiring in June 2025.

However, Laporta did not travel with the team for their 2-0 win at Almeria in LaLiga last Thursday, with Spanish media reporting he was angry with Xavi’s pre-match comments.

Xavi had highlighted Barcelona’s financial difficulties in comparison to the strength of new Spanish champions Real Madrid and other European giants.

“Barcelona fans have to understand, we’re not in the same situation (as those clubs),” he had said.

Barcelona won LaLiga last season but were not able to defend the title. They went out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and will end the season trophyless.

Laporta appointed Xavi, one of Barcelona’s greatest-ever midfielders, to replace Ronald Koeman in November 2021.

As a player, Xavi made 767 appearances for Barcelona, winning four Champions Leagues and eight LaLiga titles, as well as the World Cup with Spain.

During his time as Barcelona coach, he lifted the Spanish Super Cup last season, along with the league title.

The Star