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5 months ago
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Xavi kicked a Barcelona man out of a WhatsApp group after his sacking, reports say.
Despite agreeing to remain at the club after performing a surprise U-turn just last month, Xavi was brutally dismissed as manager by president Joan Laporta.
Former Bayern Munich and Germany boss Hansi Flick was announced as his replacement earlier this week and has signed a two-year contract.
Xavi, 44, led Barcelona to the LaLiga title in his first full season in charge but a fracturing of his relationship with the hierarchy led to his decision to step down.
He was then convinced to stay after holding talks with Laporta and other executives, the same men who made the decision to remove him from his post weeks later.
Xavi kicked a Barcelona figure out of a WhatsApp group after his brutal sacking, reports say
Despite agreeing to U-turn on his decision to step down, Xavi was axed by Joan Laporta (left)
According to Spanish publication Sport, Xavi's frosty departure led to tension between him and Alejandro Echevarria, a close confidant of Laporta.
It has been alleged that Xavi was in a long-standing WhatsApp group with Echevarria as well as former Barcelona players including Carles Puyol and Victor Valdes.
After Xavi was axed, however, it is said that he created a new group including the same club legends as the previous group - but not Echevarria.
Flick has been warned by his predecessor that he 'will suffer' in his new role.
'To the new manager, I tell you: You will suffer,' Xavi said after his final game in charge, a 2-1 win against Sevilla. 'This is a difficult job and you have to be patient.'
Xavi bid farewell to his boyhood club in bittersweet fashion after a 2-1 victory against Sevilla
He had posted with Deco (left) and Laporta after deciding to stay on as manager last month
Barcelona moved quickly to appoint former Germany boss Hansi Flick as their new head coach
He added: 'I think that our work has not been appreciated enough.
'I took over when the team was in ninth place [under Ronald Koeman], finished the season in second place, and won the league the next season.'
Xavi's side ended a trophyless campaign 10 points behind their fierce rivals Real Madrid, who could add more silverware in the Champions League final tomorrow.
Marca claimed that Barcelona's plan was to part ways with Xavi after the conclusion of the LaLiga season but the process accelerated after Flick agreed terms.
Flick's last role in management was with Germany, where he was sacked last September after a 4-1 loss to Japan and difficult World Cup campaign in 2022.
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