Barcelona sacked manager Xavi Hernandez, a decision that will cost the club €6.5 million (£5.5 million; $7.1 million) at a time when it is grappling with a €130 million deficit in their accounts.
Xavi was dismissed on Friday, just before Barcelona’s final La Liga match of the season against Sevilla on Sunday. The 44-year-old had initially announced in January that he would leave the club at the end of the season with one year remaining on his contract. However, he reversed this decision last month.
Had Xavi departed as initially planned, Barcelona would not have owed him any compensation. Despite writing off his €11 million salary for next season, Xavi will be reimbursed the €2.5 million he paid to terminate his contract with Qatari side Al Shabab early to join Barcelona in 2021.
It is unclear whether this reimbursement was obligatory regardless of the circumstances of his departure. Additionally, Barcelona will pay €4 million to Xavi’s outgoing backroom staff.
This €6.5 million expense adds to Barcelona’s financial woes, as the club needs to find €130 million by the end of June to comply with La Liga’s squad cost limit.
In the wake of Xavi’s departure, Barcelona is set to appoint Hansi Flick, the former Bayern Munich and Germany boss, as their new head coach.
Despite the managerial upheaval, Barcelona managed to finish second in La Liga after a 2-1 victory over Sevilla, ensuring their qualification for the Champions League next season. Under Xavi’s leadership, Barcelona won the La Liga title in the 2022-23 season.
