Barcelona have confirmed the dismissal of head coach Xavi Hernández, a decision made in the wake of the team’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League.
The club’s board of directors held an urgent meeting on the evening of Wednesday, April 17, 2024, following the 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, which sealed a 6-4 aggregate quarter-final loss. The meeting resulted in the definitive choice to part ways with the coach immediately.
According to information from the Catalan club, President Joan Laporta personally informed Xavi of the decision. The dismissal comes despite Xavi having announced in January that he would leave at the end of the current season, a plan the board has now accelerated.
The primary reason for the sudden change is the manner of the European exit. Leading 3-2 from the first leg at the Parc des Princes, Barcelona took a 1-0 lead at home through Raphinha. However, Ronald Araújo’s red card in the 29th minute completely shifted the momentum. PSG capitalised, scoring four unanswered goals to turn the tie around dramatically.
This Champions League failure, coupled with a significant gap behind Real Madrid in the La Liga title race, convinced the board that a change was necessary before the season concludes. The search for a new manager will now begin immediately.
Xavi, a legendary former Barcelona captain and midfielder, returned to coach the club in November 2021. He led the team to the La Liga title and the Spanish Super Cup in the 2022/2023 season.
