Xavi Hernandez departs disappointed his work at Barcelona was not appreciated enough
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Xavi compiled 90 wins, 23 draws and 29 defeats in 142 games in charge but was fired on May 24.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SEVILLE – Sacked Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said he leaves the club disappointed, after feeling his work was not appreciated enough as they finished the season with a 2-1 win at Sevilla on May 26.
Xavi, 44, who joined Barca on a three-year deal when Dutchman Ronald Koeman left in 2021,
He compiled 90 wins, 23 draws and 29 defeats in 142 games in charge but was fired on May 24.
“I have the feeling that everything I have done in these two and a half years has caused an earthquake. I have been targeted many times in many situations,” Xavi said.
“I think that the work has not been sufficiently appreciated.
“This year we haven’t been up to the task because of details. We had four key games in which we couldn’t finish the good work we had done.”
German coach Hansi Flick, who led Bayern Munich to the treble in 2019-20, is expected to be appointed as Xavi’s successor this week.
La Liga runners-up Barcelona, who finished 10 points behind Real Madrid, have endured a frustrating season.
They lost to Real in the Spanish Super Cup final, lost to Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals and were dumped out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain, also in the last eight.
Xavi decided in January to step down but agreed to return in April for a final term after talks with president Joan Laporta, who later changed his mind and sacked him after a season without silverware.
“It is not for me to say the reasons or the motives. I think it is up to the president to say them. I had no choice but to accept it. It doesn’t matter if I agree with the arguments.
“I’m not leaving with a sense of relief because we wanted to continue. These are decisions made by the club. We understood and respected that, but we thought it wasn’t over,” he added.
Xavi pointed out that while he did not agree with his departure, he accepted that the club were bigger, adding that the next coach’s job would not be easy.
“He should know that he has a tough situation because Barca is a challenging club but on top of that it is in an adverse economic situation. It will not be an easy task,” he said.
One of Xavi’s successes has been to give young players their chance, including starlets Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, and also midfielder Fermin Lopez.
The 21-year-old drilled Barcelona ahead against Sevilla in the second half. with a low strike from outside the area. Robert Lewandowski had opened the scoring for Barca before Youssef En-Nesyri equalised before the break.
Lopez ran over to Xavi to give the departing coach a hug after his goal. REUTERS, AFP
