Barcelona President Joan Laporta has finally explained his decision to sack Xavi Hernandez, a week on from appointing Hansi Flick as the new manager and two weeks on from letting the former go. It is the first time he has spoken publicly since.

While rumours were abound that Xavi could be relieved of his duties, the decision to do so still shocked the footballing world, given Laporta had publicly ratified Xavi’s continuity for next season just a month earlier.

Speaking to Barca One, the club’s channel, Laporta gave an interview in which he explained his thinking behind the decision.

“Xavi did a good job. He took over the team at a time of maximum difficulty. Last year he won La LIga and the Super Cup. This season things have not gone well, to the point that Xavi said he would not continue. I accepted it to end the season because Xavi is a cule at heart and it was better not to change coaches in the middle of the season.”

“He didn’t seem able to continue withstanding the pressure. Then there is a press conference in which he changes his speech and a meeting with the sports director in which he changes his requests. That makes me think that a new push must be given to get the ball rolling. maximum performance to this squad. We got the option of Flick, who seems capable of competing with anyone with this squad. That was decisive. I think we have finished in a very elegant way with Xavi. He has kept his word, and so have we. we have reached an agreement. He has his doors open because he is a bastard. “We finished well and now we turn to continue winning.”