Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has said he accepts the club’s decision to sack him but he would like to have departed in other circumstances.
Barça president Joan Laporta told Xavi on Friday that he would not continue beyond Sunday’s final game of the season away at Sevilla, with sources telling ESPN that Hansi Flick will replace him.
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“I spoke with the president and he transmitted to me his reasons for considering the need for a change,” Xavi said in a news conference on Saturday, although he would not elaborate on the motives given by Laporta.
“All I can do is accept it and respect it. He’s the one who makes the decisions at the club. We shook hands, hugged and wished each other the best. I will be another fan in the stands now.
“The decision was made thinking of the club’s [best interests] because they believe a change of direction is needed.
“I have remained motivated, hungry and ambitious until now. I believe in the squad, that we could do big things with small changes, but it was not to be.”
