Laporta Decides to Dismiss Xavi

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has decided to dismiss the team's head coach, Xavi Hernandez, from his position, according to a report from a Catalan newspaper. "Sport" stated that Xavi will not continue as head coach of Barcelona for the next season. The report added, "The decision will be official after the match against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga (next Sunday), pending assurance of the team's second-place finish, and it was made by Laporta following Xavi's press conference before the match against Almeria." The newspaper continued: "Laporta was not pleased with Xavi's statements, in which he indicated that it would be very difficult to compete with Real Madrid and other European clubs due to the economic difficulties the club is facing... Therefore, the Barcelona president decided not to travel with the team." Xavi had previously announced that this current season would be his last at Barcelona before meeting with Laporta, and an agreement was reached on April 24 to extend his tenure.