Hansi Flick has been appointed the new Barcelona head coach.

The former Bayern Munich and Germany boss has signed a two-year deal at the Nou Camp.

Flick replaces Xavi, who was sacked a month after Barcelona had persuaded him to stay on as manager, after he initially planned to leave at the end of this campaign. The 44-year-old Spaniard took the Catalans to the Champions League quarter-finals but lost to Paris Saint-Germain.

Having been appointed in November 2021 to manage the club where he won 25 major trophies as a player, 2010 World Cup winner Xavi steered the team from ninth place in LaLiga to the runners-up spot following the sacking of Ronald Koeman.

Barca were crowned champions in his first full season in charge but they subsequently failed to mount a serious challenge this time round, surrendering their title to rivals Real Madrid.

Xavi: Next Barca boss will ‘suffer’

Earlier this week, Xavi warned his successor to be prepared to “suffer” in the job.

“To the new manager, I tell you: You will suffer. This is a very complicated place to be,” Xavi said after his final match in charge, a 2-1 win over Sevilla.

“This is a difficult job and you have to be patient.”

Xavi does not have another job lined up and is prepared to wait for the right offer.

He said: “Nothing is closed. I’m a professional, let’s see what happens in the future. Of course I’m open (to a new job), but I think 100 per cent I need to rest a little bit.

“It’s so difficult to coach Barcelona. It’s been tough last week, but I have my conscience very clear. I’m proud and happy.

“When we got here we knew it was a difficult time for the club and I think we can be proud of the work we have done.”