XAVI Hernandez has issued a grave warning to whoever will take his place at Barcelona after he was sacked as manager.
The former captain of the Spanish giants had initially announced that he would quit at the end of the season but he was persuaded to stay on and he changed his mind.
However, after a string of poor results, the club made a volte-face and sacked Xavi, a decision that apparently did not go down well with the 44-year-old, who won everything at the club as a player along with Lionel Messi, Andreas Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.
Although Xavi led Barcelona to the 2022/2023 LaLiga title in his first full season in charge, the club failed to win any trophy this term.
“I would like to tell the new coach that he will suffer and he will need patience, because it’s a very complicated position,” the former Spain international told journalists as he bade farewell to Barcelona.
“The only thing that will save the new coach is winning, whether they have been part of the club previously or not.
“Do I feel relieved? No, because I wanted to stay but I’ve been told that I couldn’t.
“It seems like from day one all my words have generated an earthquake. I don’t really know why.”
However, Xavi said he would always be open to working with the club again, where he spent 17 years as a player.
“It would be another honour to return to the club of my life one day…we will see,” he added.
“The fans must understand that the economic situation is difficult. I am leaving with the love of the fans and that fills me with pride.”
There are strong indications that Barcelona will appoint German coach Hansi Flick as Xavi’s successor.
