Former Bayern Munich and Germany manager Hansi Flick has been appointed the new Barcelona boss; LaLiga club sacked Xavi just a month after convincing him to stay on in role; the Spaniard announced in January his desire to leave the club at the end of the season but reversed his decision
Hansi Flick has been appointed the new Barcelona head coach.
The former Bayern Munich and Germany boss has signed a two-year deal at the Nou Camp.
Flick replaces Xavi, who was sacked a month after Barcelona had persuaded him to stay on as manager, after he initially planned to leave at the end of this campaign. The 44-year-old Spaniard took the Catalans to the Champions League quarter-finals but lost to Paris Saint-Germain.
Having been appointed in November 2021 to manage the club where he won 25 major trophies as a player, 2010 World Cup winner Xavi steered the team from ninth place in LaLiga to the runners-up spot following the sacking of Ronald Koeman.
Barca were crowned champions in his first full season in charge but they subsequently failed to mount a serious challenge this time round, surrendering their title to rivals Real Madrid.
Xavi: Next Barca boss will ‘suffer’
Earlier this week, Xavi warned his successor to be prepared to “suffer” in the job.
“To the new manager, I tell you: You will suffer. This is a very complicated place to be,” Xavi said after his final match in charge, a 2-1 win over Sevilla.
“This is a difficult job and you have to be patient.”
Xavi does not have another job lined up and is prepared to wait for the right offer.
He said: “Nothing is closed. I’m a professional, let’s see what happens in the future. Of course I’m open (to a new job), but I think 100 per cent I need to rest a little bit.
“It’s so difficult to coach Barcelona. It’s been tough last week, but I have my conscience very clear. I’m proud and happy.
“When we got here we knew it was a difficult time for the club and I think we can be proud of the work we have done.”