“We are happy with what Flick is doing” - Barcelona president Joan Laporta opens up on club's decision to sack Xavi and appoint Hansi Flick
Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently explained the club's decision to sack former coach Xavi and appoint Hansi Flick this season. Xavi was sacked weeks after the Spaniard agreed to continue as head coach for another season.
Xavi's Barcelona side ended the 2023-24 season without a trophy after they lost LaLiga to Real Madrid by 10 points. Their UEFA Champions League campaign ended after a 6-4 loss on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals. They also lost 4-1 to Real Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana final.
In January 2024, Xavi announced his decision to leave at the end of the season. The Spaniard changed his decision in May but in a strange turn of events, Barcelona sacked him the same month.
Speaking at the Ordinary General Assembly held at the Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona president Joan Laporta opened up on his decision to sack the former coach. He said (via Barca Universal):
"I would like to thank Xavi for all the great work he has done with the club. But from the inside, we realized that we needed extra motivation. We are happy with what Flick is doing."
"I will not hide from you the disappointment we feel about last season. That is why we decided to give a new impetus to the bench and to the physical staff. With the players from La Masia and Flick, success will return to Barcelona.”
German coach Hansi Flick came on board in May 2024. The manager has maintained an impressive record with the Catalan giants so far, recording eight wins in nine LaLiga outings. La Blaugrana currently sit atop the league table with 24 points.
The Catalan side have recorded one loss (2-1 over Monaco) and one win (5-0 over Young Boys) so far in the UEFA Champions League. It should be noted that Flick maintained this impressive run of form while having multiple key players injured.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta heaps praise on sporting director Deco
Speaking further at the Ordinary General Assembly held at the Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona president Joan Laporta appreciated the work of sporting director Deco. He said (via Barca Universal):
"We are also happy with the work of Deco, who reduced the wage bill by €170 million. I want to talk about the impact of Deco’s work on income. The percentage of sports salaries was 91% of the club’s total income. It is now 53%. In addition, we sold players for €80 million."
Former Blaugrana player Deco took up the sporting director at the club in August 2023. In September 2024, the Catalan side announced savings of €170million on their wage bill.
The club's current wage bill stands at €500 million reduced from the earlier €670 million. The new figure puts them in line with UEFA's recommendations of clubs spending only 70% of their total revenues on wages.
Barcelona also made multiple sales and loan deals this summer. Sales included Marc Guiu, Julian Araujo, and Mikayil Faye. Marcos Alonso, Sergi Roberto and Ilkay Gundogan also left the club on free transfers.
La Blaugrana only made two summer signings - Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig for a reported €55 million and Pau Victor from Girona for a reported €2.7 million.