FC Barcelona officially announced that Xavi Hernandez will no longer be the Barca manager for next season. FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta sacked Xavi, and the replacement will be the German manager Hansi Flick. Although he is yet to be announced as the next FC Barcelona coach, Flick is already planning to bring in a player from the Bundesliga to join the team next season. Flick talked with FC Barcelona sporting director Deco about the high interest in the $43 million midfielder Exequiel Palacios from Bayer Leverkusen. The Argentine midfielder has been key in the Bayer Leverkusen squad as they won their first-ever Bundesliga title and went undefeated. The midfielder is 25 years old and joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2019.
Palacios played 24 matches in the Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen, where he started in 21 matches. The midfielder scored four goals and provided five assists in the Bundesliga. Palacios made a total of 36 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen across all competitions this season, where he finished with six goals and five assists.
Another midfielder Flick would like to bring to FC Barcelona is Joshua Kimmich from Bayern Munich, who has been a target for the Catalan club for a while now. Kimmich had a great relationship with Flick at Bayern Munich. Flick will also count on Robert Lewandowski, who averaged 1.1 goals per game under the German manager at Bayern Munich a few years ago. Sport reports that Flick also wants two right-backs and two left-backs.
Xavi spoke at his final press conference as the FC Barcelona manager, as his last game as a coach is tomorrow against Sevilla. Xavi revealed how he found out that he would no longer be the coach for FC Barcelona next season. Xavi said, “Yesterday we were with the president and he told me the reasons why he believes that the club needs a change of coach. I just have to respect it (decision to sack him). I am a club man and I will always be available for what Barça needs. I’ll be one more culé.”
Xavi didn’t shut the door to potentially returning to the club in the future. The Spanish manager said, “Returning one day? Yes, why not. I see myself coming back. I would like to. It’s the club of my life. We have had a roller coaster of emotions, but I like being at Barça, working for Barça. I don’t close the door. I hope they give me the opportunity to come back.”
The Barça legend thanked the president despite reports suggesting that Joan Laporta was very angry at him, hence why he was sacked. Xavi said, “I am grateful to the president, to the sports directors who have passed... I have not had any problems with the leaders. None. I am a man of consensus and a club above all. I have adapted to the circumstances. I have no choice but to accept the president’s decision.”
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