Enzo Maresca has left his job as Chelsea’s head coach. Maresca’s relationship with the club’s board has broken down and the split has led to a parting of the ways. It had seemed Chelsea would give the Italian time to turn around his side’s form but events have moved quickly during the past 24 hours. There was deep dissatisfaction with the 45-year-old’s decisions during games but the bigger issue was his conduct away from the pitch.
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Hansi Flick has been confirmed as the new coach of Barcelona, after the sacking of Xavi Hernández. The former Bayern Munich manager joins on a two-year deal, worth about €3.5m a year plus incentives. The 59-year-old had been out of work since his sacking as Germany’s coach in September last year. Barcelona described Flick as a manager “known for his intense, ambitious high press” and cited a “wide experience at club and international level, in which he has won practically every title that can be won in world football”.
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FC Barcelona have sacked manager Xavi Hernandez with former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick set to replace him. Xavi will take charge of Barcelona for the final time on Sunday, when they host Sevilla in their last La Liga match of the season. The 44-year-old, who had been contracted until 2025, was informed of the club’s decision during a meeting with club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco on Friday – exactly one month since it was announced that he would remain at the club.
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Real Madrid were crowned champions of La Liga for the 36th time after FC Barcelona suffered a 4-2 defeat by Girona. The Catalans took an early lead through Andres Christensen but were soon pegged back by Artem Dovbyk. Barca regained the lead but Cristian Portu’s brace from the bench turned the tie on its head ultimately ending the title race.
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Barcelona coach Xavi will remain at the club until at least the end of his contract in June 2025 after changing his mind that this would be his last season. The 44-year-old announced in January he would step down as boss this summer. But, with president Joan Laporta keen for him to remain, the former Barcelona and Spain midfielder has performed a U-turn.
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