Barcelona president Joan Laporta explained his reasons for the dismissal of former head coach Xavi Hernandez,
Xavi reversed his decision to leave the club, which he shared in January before Laporta unceremoniously dismissed him last month.
He arrived at the club under difficult circumstances but steered them to a domestic title and cup while blooding La Masia graduates.
Speaking on a podcast with One Barcelona, Laporta said (via Mundo Deportivo), “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 make a change. I also shared the same feeling with the board.”
Xavi had expressed concerns about the club’s dire finances leading up to the summer transfer window.
The former Spain international had doubts about his team’s ability to compete at the highest level without top-calibre signings, which Laporta has revealed led to his dismissal.
Laporta has appointed Hansi Flick as the new manager to wrestle back La Liga from Real Madrid, who claimed the domestic title for the 36th time.
Los Blancos recently won their 15th Champions League crown and have added star forward Kylian Mbappe to their talented squad.
Laporta admitted he was worried about the Frenchman’s arrival but chose to focus on the Barcelona way: “As a Barca fan, it is not good news to see Mbappe to Real Madrid,” he added.
“But, to be honest, I prefer our strategy to trust a project with players produced and made in La Masia. I respect our rivals, but I keep our philosophy.”
Flick faces a monumental task. He will need to get this Barca team to play out of their skin to compete with Madrid’s monster squad and masterful transfers, especially with their accounts in the red.
Barcelona must sell players to stay afloat financially, although Laporta continues to deny those murmurings, assuring fans they will be ready to compete against Madrid next season.
