Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has expressed his views on the recent sacking of Xavi from Barcelona, stating that it is common for coaches to be dismissed. Despite initially planning to leave his position at the end of the season, Xavi was relieved of his duties earlier than expected. Ancelotti believes that the separation may ultimately benefit both Xavi and Barcelona. As Xavi's successor, Hansi Flick has been appointed as the new head coach of Barcelona, marking the end of an era for Xavi at the club.
Carlo Ancelotti Weighs in on the Sacking of Xavi from Barcelona
Recently, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti offered his perspective on the dismissal of Barcelona coach Xavi. Ancelotti, who has managed numerous top clubs throughout his career, acknowledged that coaching dismissals are a common occurrence in football.
Background on Xavi's Dismissal
Despite initially intending to remain at Barcelona until the end of the season, Xavi was unexpectedly relieved of his duties. His separation from the club marks the end of an era, as he played a pivotal role as a player and later as a coach.
Ancelotti's Views
Ancelotti expressed his belief that the separation could ultimately be beneficial for both Xavi and Barcelona. He noted that coaches often face dismissal in football, and that this could lead to new opportunities and a fresh perspective for both parties.
Hansi Flick Appointed as New Barcelona Coach
Following Xavi's departure, Hansi Flick has been appointed as the new head coach of Barcelona. Flick, a former Bayern Munich manager, brings a wealth of experience and success to the Catalan giants.
Top 5 FAQs on Xavi and Barcelona
1. Why was Xavi dismissed from Barcelona?
Xavi was dismissed due to a combination of factors, including poor recent results and a failure to consistently meet expectations.
2. Who replaced Xavi as Barcelona manager?
Hansi Flick was appointed as the new Barcelona manager after Xavi's departure.
3. What is Xavi's future after leaving Barcelona?
Xavi's future plans are unknown at this time, but he has stated his desire to continue coaching.
4. How long was Xavi the manager of Barcelona?
Xavi was the manager of Barcelona for 17 months, from November 2021 until February 2023.
5. What are Ancelotti's thoughts on the dismissal of Xavi?
Ancelotti believes that the separation could ultimately benefit both Xavi and Barcelona, and that coaching dismissals are common in football.
In a crucial La Liga match leading up to next weekend's highly-anticipated Clasico, Robert Lewandowski and Pablo Torre shone brightly for Barcelona as they secured a convincing 5-1 win over Sevilla. The veteran striker netted two goals while substitute Torre also grabbed a brace, solidifying Barcelona's lead at the top of the table. Despite a late consolation goal from Sevilla, it was a dominant display of attacking football from the home team, with the win marking a triumphant return for Francisco Garcia Pimienta to his former club.
On the first day of the first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa, the visitors proved to be the dominant force. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bangladesh struggled to get going against a strong South African bowling attack. However, it was the young all-rounder Wiaan Mulder who stole the show, picking up early wickets and putting the hosts on the back foot. Follow our live coverage for all the updates from the first day's play.
Charles Leclerc led teammate Carlos Sainz to a dominant victory for Ferrari at the United States Grand Prix, while Lando Norris was relegated to fourth place after a five-second penalty for overtaking race leader Max Verstappen off-track. This marks Ferrari's first one-two finish in the United States since 2006, solidifying Verstappen's lead in the drivers' championship with five races left this season. Despite struggling with the car's performance throughout the weekend, Leclerc's confidence in the race paid off as he secured his third win of the season and the eighth of his career.
After India's loss to New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, KL Rahul was seen bowing to the pitch and touching it, sparking rumors on social media that it might have been his last Test match. Given that the stadium was once his home ground during his time with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the gesture was seen as an emotional farewell from the player. However, with his recent poor performance in the match, it remains to be seen if Rahul will continue representing India in Test cricket.
Suzie Bates, the legendary batter for New Zealand, has created history by becoming the most capped player in women's cricket. She surpassed former Indian captain Mithali Raj's record by playing in her 334th international match for the White Ferns in the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 final. Bates, known for her incredible batting performance, also holds the record for most runs in women's T20Is and is the all-time leading run scorer for New Zealand in women's ODIs. In addition, she has also impressed with her bowling skills, taking 78 and 59 wickets in ODIs and T20Is respectively. In the Women's T20 World Cup 2024, the 37-year-old cricketer played all six matches for the White Ferns, scoring 150 runs and achieving one wicket in the second semifinal match against the West Indies.
In a tense battle for third place at the US Grand Prix, Lando Norris was penalised by F1 stewards for gaining an advantage by running off track. The British driver, who was aiming for his first world championship, criticized the stewards for making a rushed decision that he believes cost him momentum in the title race. Despite starting from pole position, Norris finished fourth, behind rival Max Verstappen. The stewards defended their decision, stating that Norris had lost the "right" to the corner, but Norris argued that Verstappen should also have been penalized for running off track to defend his position.
Liverpool passed a tough test in their match against Chelsea, with a 2-1 win propelling them back to the top of the Premier League table. Reds manager Arne Slot hailed the team's performance, which has yielded 10 wins out of their last 11 games. Mohamed Salah's penalty and Curtis Jones' winner were enough to secure the three points, despite Nicolas Jackson's equalizer for Chelsea. The win puts Liverpool one point ahead of Manchester City, setting up an exciting clash against Arsenal next weekend. Despite the loss, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca remained optimistic about his team's performance, noting the difficulty of playing at Anfield.
Liverpool could face fierce competition from Inter Milan in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund winger Karim Adeyemi. The 22-year-old has impressively stepped up for Dortmund this season, catching the attention of top clubs like Liverpool and Inter. While the Reds are interested in him for their attack, Inter have been monitoring him for years and believe he could help them take the next step. But, with Dortmund demanding a hefty fee of €50 million for Adeyemi, Inter will have to make some significant moves in the transfer market to afford him.
Kerala Blasters FC triumphed over Mohammedan SC in an exciting match in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Sunday. The visitors, who had not won an away match after conceding the first goal in their last 27 games, displayed impressive resilience and secured a 2-1 win with goals from Kwame Peprah and Jesus Jimenez. This victory also marked their third consecutive win in Kolkata, a record achieved for the first time in the ISL.
Arne Slot's Liverpool rose to the top of the Premier League standings once again after a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Chelsea at Anfield. Despite enjoying nearly 60% possession, Chelsea couldn't overcome Mohamed Salah's penalty and Curtis Jones' late winner. Slot credited this win as the toughest test since taking charge of Liverpool, while Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca praised his team's performance in a difficult away fixture. Liverpool's victory puts them one point ahead of Manchester City and four points clear of Arsenal, setting up an exciting match against the Gunners in the next round.