Barcelona president Joan Laporta has on Tuesday for the first time provided an insight into the reasoning behind his decision to part with head coach Xavi.
Xavi’s dismissal from his berth on the touchline in Catalunya’s capital was of course made official late last month.
This came with a view to Hansi Flick – announced as the new Barca boss last week – being installed in place of the Spaniard.
Mere weeks on from seeing his continuation for next season confirmed, Xavi, in turn, had the rug pulled from under him, in a move which has since drawn heavy criticism in not only Spain, but across the football world.
Speaking as part of ‘The President’s Podcast’ on Barça One, as cited by Mundo Deportivo, on Tuesday, Joan Laporta therefore made use of the opportunity to open up on the matter.
The Spanish patron pointed towards what he felt was a lack of trust on Xavi’s part in his squad as decisive, explaining:
“Xavi told me that he trusted this team, but then some of his statements looked like he changed his speech. It caused me to rethink and I had the feeling that I had to do a change, also with the same feeling shared with the board.”
Laporta continued:
“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 have not gone well. In February I agreed to let him leave in June because he is a culé and because he also helped us not urgently look for a replacement. Then he asked us to continue and I asked him if he believed in the team and he said yes.
“What changed in terms of the team made me reconsider, and I thought of Hansi Flick to get the best out of this squad. It has been finished in an elegant way with Xavi, who has the club’s doors open because he has earned it.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
