In a shocking turn of events, Barcelona parted ways with their manager, Xavi Hernandez, just over a year after handing teenage sensation Lamine Yamal his first-team debut.
The Spanish giants have now turned to former Bayern Munich and Germany boss Hansi Flick to take over the reins at the Camp Nou. Yamal, who made his debut under Xavi in April 2023, has now broken his silence on the managerial upheaval at the Catalan club.
The 16-year-old Spanish international admitted that Xavi’s sacking came as a “very strange moment” for him and the team.
In an exclusive interview with Mundo Deportivo, Yamal said, “It was a very strange moment. At first, he left, then he stayed… It was strange because we saw the same thing that you saw too.
Very sad because for me, he was the first coach in the elite that I’ve had, but these are things that happen in football.”
Xavi’s departure from Barcelona was indeed a rollercoaster ride. The former midfield maestro had initially announced his intention to step down at the end of the 2023–24 season in January.
However, after being persuaded by the club’s board, he decided to stay on. But tensions between Xavi and president Joan Laporta over the club’s state of affairs ultimately led to his dismissal.
Despite the sadness of bidding farewell to Xavi, Yamal expressed excitement about the arrival of Hansi Flick, who guided Bayern Munich to a historic treble in 2020 and led Germany to the 2022 World Cup.
“The last thing I saw was when he was at Bayern, and also in the German national team. They have a fairly offensive game, quite direct. I’m very excited,” said the teenage prodigy.
Flick’s appointment is seen as a statement of intent by Barcelona, as they look to rebuild and reclaim their status as one of Europe’s elite clubs.
The German tactician is renowned for his attacking style of football and his ability to get the best out of his players.
However, Flick inherits a Barcelona side plagued by financial woes and a squad in need of significant reinforcements.
The club’s precarious financial situation may force them to offload more players to balance the books, further complicating Flick’s task of assembling a competitive squad.
As Yamal heads off to represent Spain at this summer’s European Championships, he will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on developments at his club.
The youngster is expected to return for Barcelona’s pre-season fixtures against Manchester City, Real Madrid, and AC Milan in late July and early August, where he will have the opportunity to impress his new manager and stake a claim for a regular spot in the first team.
Barcelona’s tumultuous season has been a stark reminder of the challenges faced by one of the world’s most prestigious clubs.
With Flick at the helm and a talented crop of youngsters like Yamal coming through the ranks, the Blaugrana faithful will be hoping for a return to their glory days.
As the new era dawns at Camp Nou, all eyes will be on Flick and his ability to steady the ship and navigate Barcelona through these turbulent waters.
The road ahead is arduous, but with the right leadership and a united squad, the Catalan giants could once again scale the heights of European football.