Football Club Barcelona having Soap Opera-esque storylines is nothing new. Since the departure of Pep Guardiola in 2012, the club has been subject of some bizarre storylines and this season is no different. Coming off a successful 2022/23 season, where they managed to clinch the league title, the Blaugranas had high hopes coming into this season. However, what followed was indeed a roller coaster.

Unbelievable situation at the club.

This is unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/wOYQE1QGih

— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) May 17, 2024

The team started the season well and the club started negotiations with Xavi to extend his contract. He penned a new deal until 2025 and it was clear that the club was committed to his project. However, fast forward to January and everything seemed to be falling apart. The club was miles behind Real Madrid in the title race for La Liga and were knocked out of the Copa Del Ray by Athletic Bilbao. This prompted Xavi to announce that he would leave the club on 27th January, after the team lost to Villarreal. It seemed like the story was over.

After this announcement, the team form went on an upwards spiral and the team started competing well in the league and even the Champions League. Although they were knocked out by PSG in the UCL Quarter Finals, the team had shown fight and character, something that had been missing since Lionel Messi left in 2021. This led to the board publicly campaigning for Xavi to change his decision. At first, the Spanish manager seemed firm in his decision to leave the club but the public support from the board and the fans convinced him to reverse his decision. It was officially announced on 25th April that Xavi would indeed be staying.

Exactly 22 days later, it has been reported that the club will indeed sack Xavi Hernandez. So what exactly went wrong?

🚨 BREAKING: Xavi will be sacked by Barcelona. 😳

(via @rac1) pic.twitter.com/OeoZb97pta

— Pubity Sport (@pubitysport) May 17, 2024

The Spanish manager spoke about the current situation of the club in his prematch press conference before their game against Almeria. He said:

“We are going to try to compete. The situation is difficult economically that has nothing to do with what used to happen 25 years ago, when the coach came and said 'I love this one, this one and this one'. It doesn't work like that anymore. I understand what’s happening and that's how we're going to manage. Right now, we are not in the same conditions as other clubs with better fair play. The fans should know. But this doesn't mean that we won’t try to achieve our goals.”

🚨🚨🌕| Joan Laporta believes that he made an effort to sign important players, but Xavi did not utilise them properly.

In addition, he's FUMING with Xavi's recent words, because he wants a coach who is optimistic for the future & Xavi doesn't fulfill that condition. @diarioas pic.twitter.com/8jt3iaxEMF

— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) May 17, 2024

This reportedly angered club President Joan Laporta, who feels betrayed by these words. The coach had transmitted optimism about the squad to the board only a few weeks ago, when it was announced that he would continue at the club. However, these words are rather pessimistic and that is why the club is seriously considering sacking him at the end of the season.

From Xavi’s environment, it is claimed that his words are being taken out of context and being misinterpreted. No official decision has been communicated to him as of yet but a departure seems like the most likely outcome. Only days after the club convinced him to reverse his decision to leave and continue.

The club has made a mess of the whole situation again and it seems to be a recurring theme at Barcelona. Let’s see what happens next.