Sports

Barcelona sack Xavi with flick set to replace him

Published

2 months ago

May 25, 2024

Xavi Hernandez

Barcelona sack Xavi with 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.

Former Spain midfielder Xavi said in January that he was going leave the Camp Nou, but he was persuaded to stay by Laporta in April.

But recent comments from Xavi, in which he opened up about the club’s financial struggles, are said to have angered Laporta.

Barcelona said they would like to “thank Xavi for his work as a coach” since taking charge in 2021.

“It is never easy to leave the club of your life, but I am very proud after two and a half years at the head of a dressing room that has been like a second family,” said Xavi in an open letter issued on social media.

“From Sunday I will be just one more Barca fan, in the stands.

“Because before being a player or a coach I am a Barcelona fan and I only want the best for the club in my life, which will always have me at its disposal.”

The Catalan club said a “new structure” will be confirmed in the coming days, with Flick set to take charge.

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The 59-year-old has been out of work since he was sacked by Germany in September 2023.

Flick, who replaced Joachim Low as national boss in 2021, became the first Germany manager to be sacked since the role was created in 1926, winning just 12 of his 25 matches in charge.

Flick’s stint with Germany came after he guided Bayern Munich to a treble in 2020, winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League.

Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski, 35, played under Flick at the Allianz Arena for two seasons.

After guiding Barcelona to the La Liga title in 2022-23, Xavi’s side put up a disappointing defence to their crown this term.

The Catalans are 12 points behind rivals Real Madrid, with one game remaining in the season.

Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by Paris St-Germain.

Xavi spent 17 years with Barcelona as a player, having emerged from the club’s La Masia academy.

After four years’ playing for Qatari side Al-Sadd, Xavi retired in 2019 to take over the side as manager.

He remained in Qatar for a further two seasons, before replacing Ronald Koeman in November 2021 as Barcelona boss.

Xavi helped the club to the La Liga title and Spanish Cup during his first full season in charge, earning the side a return to the Champions League.

Sevilla boss Quique Sanchez Flores has criticised Barcelona’s treatment of Xavi.

“I shouldn’t say this, but how badly Barcelona treats its legends. What a bad streak,” Flores told reporters on Friday afternoon.

“With Koeman, with Messi, with Xavi now – how bad. I wish clubs treated their legends well. That would be fantastic. Xavi is a legend of the club.”

Flores added he had “doubts the criticism about him [Xavi] is correct”.

Barcelona will finish the season second in LaLiga behind champions Real Madrid and Xavi will remain in charge for the game at Sevilla.

During his 141 games as Barcelona boss, Xavi won 89 matches – giving him a 63% win ratio.

Barcelona sack Xavi with flick set to replace him

Sports

Be humble in Madrid, former Liverpool striker tells Mbappe

Published

13 hours ago

July 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Kylian Mbappe

Be humble in Madrid, former Liverpool striker tells Mbappe

A former Liverpool striker, Stan Collymore, has issued a warning to Kylian Mbappe as the French star joins Real Madrid.

Drawing from his own experience as a high-profile signing at Liverpool, Collymore advised Mbappe to approach his new role with humility.

Collymore, who was once a British record transfer to Liverpool, shared his insights with CaughtOffside on Thursday.

He stressed the importance of Mbappe navigating the dressing room dynamics carefully, stating, “They (Real Madrid players) won’t really care that he (Mbappe) was a Real Madrid fan as a kid or that he had Cristiano Ronaldo posters on his wall.”

The former striker recalled his experiences at Liverpool, where he faced challenges integrating with the team.

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“When I went to Liverpool, there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind whatsoever that within two or three weeks of signing and after all the happy, clapping, ‘hey, how you doing, do you want to come out with us for a beer and be our friend?’ kind of thing, that my team-mates thought I was some big-time Charlie,” Collymore revealed.

He warned Mbappe about the potential pitfalls of being perceived as arrogant or entitled.

“Kylian Mbappe, who has been top dog and massively overindulged for so long, will have to fall in line fairly quickly, be humble and say the right things. If he doesn’t, there’ll only be problems down the road,” Collymore said.

Collymore highlighted the challenges faced by high-profile signings in adapting to new team environments. He suggested that despite Mbappe’s status as a World Cup winner and global superstar, he need to earn respect within the Real Madrid squad.

“Players like Dani Carvajal have been there, seen it, got the t-shirt, and so there’ll be two or three that will be looking at him and seeing how he is in the dressing room,” Collymore said.

Be humble in Madrid, former Liverpool striker tells Mbappe

Sports

PSG snub Osimhen, table €60m for Rennes Doue

Published

19 hours ago

July 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Victor Osimhen

PSG snub Osimhen, table €60m for Rennes Doue

Paris Saint Germaine have reportedly tabled a €60 million offer for Desire Doue, which could invariably likely end their pursuit of Napoli’s Nigeria international striker Victor Osimhen.

The Rennes’ winger has been subject of intense interest to PSG , Bayern Munich as well as Premier League duo of Chelsea and Arsenal but Football Transfers, yesterday reported that the French giants have tabled a whopping €60m for the 19-year-old youngster.

The news outlet claimed that the offer for Doue may scuttle PSG’s interest in the Nigerian ace striker since the €60m offer for the Rennes’ youngster is a far cry from the €130m release clause planted on Napoli by the Partenopei.

French tabloid, L’Equipe, also reported that PSG have agreed to match Rennes’ valuation of Doue, offering a financial package worth €60m.

“This development could have massive implications for the future of Victor Osimhen,” noted.

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Tom Weber of Football Transfers. “The Nigerian wants to leave Napoli and the Serie A side are keen on cashing in on him, with Chelsea outcast Romelu Lukaku already waiting in the wings to replace him.”

But in what was a positive development , Football Italia claimed yesterday that PSG have not lost hope in their pursuit of Osimhen as they only await a price drop.

Transfer expert, Gianluca Di Marzio, was quoted as saying that PSG are set to return to the forefront in their charge for Osimhen soon.

“The Ligue 1 giants were dealt a blow recently when they failed to convince the Partenopei to agree on a transfer fee lower than the release clause which is set at around €130 million,” the Italian outfit stated. “PSG are now contemplating restarting negotiations with Napoli CEO Aurelio De Laurentiis who is personally dealing with the high-value player.

“The Nigerian has expressed his desire to move away from Naples this summer and his wish will be granted as soon as a considerable offer arrives.”

With Napoli reportedly finalizing a deal for Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku who is seen as a capable replacement for Osimhen by new coach Antonio Conte, the Neapolitans might be forced to drop their asking price by a resounding margin for PSG to snap up Osimhen.

PSG snub Osimhen, table €60m for Rennes Doue

Sports

PSG to complete ‘discounted’ Osimhen’s deal Thursday

Published

4 days ago

July 22, 2024

Trends Admin

Victor Osimhen

PSG to complete ‘discounted’ Osimhen’s deal Thursday

Nigeria international striker Victor Osimhen is expected to complete his transfer from Napoli to Paris Saint-Germain on or before Thursday, according to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport.

Speculations were rife over the weekend that the French Champions are ‘close to unblocking the deal’ for Osimhen with Napoli reportedly ready to give a slight discount on Osimhen’s €130m release clause.

According to Football Italia, the Parisian giants have decided to fully focus on a deal for the 25-year-old Nigerian striker and have been in close contact with Partenopei president Aurelio De Laurentiis and the player’s agent Roberto Calenda in recent days.

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On Saturday, Osimhen missed the club’s second pre-season friendly as the coach Antonio Conte-led side beat Mantova 3-0, following their earlier 4-0 win against Anaune Val di Non in the first pre-season game.

But yesterday, Football Italia reported that Corriere dello Sport detailed how Napoli are hoping to sell Osimhen to PSG by Thursday next week, allowing them to finally pull the trigger on the deal with Chelsea for Lukaku, who is waiting to be reunited with Antonio Conte.