Barcelona are set to pull the trigger on firing Xavi not long after convincing the club legend to stick around as manager instead of stepping down.
But unlike the Bayern Munich case when they chased Julian Nagelsmann out the door to bring in Thomas Tuchel, Xavi actually did some things to earn a sacking.
For starters, Barcelona took a step back in LaLiga and were humbled again in the Champions League. Xavi failed to get the most out of his players, frustratingly eschewing top winter signing Vitor Roque.
His replacement is set to be Hansi Flick, who has a much better track record of success in world football as a former treble winner for Bayern Munich in 2019/20.
Flick brings excitement to Barcelona. Here is a look at a possible formation and lineup for the Blaugrana in 2024/25 with Hansi Flick in charge.
Although Barcelona will 100 percent make big signings and sales this summer, this piece will only take into account players currently in the squad.
Defense
GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen
LB Alejandro Balde
CB Andreas Christensen
CB Ronald Araujo
RB Jules Kounde
This was the Barcelona back line that helped lift the club to the LaLiga trophy in the 2022/23 season, and although they could benefit from having a true right back with more defensive capabilities than Joao Cancelo, this 2022/23 setup worked better than the one in 2023/24.
Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo need to stay, as they are one of the best center back pairings in world football. With his passing ability, Christensen can be the “quarterback” that David Alaba was in Flick’s system at Bayern Munich.
Midfield
CM Ilkay Gundogan
CM Frenkie de Jong
AM Gavi
The biggest change Barcelona will make is in the midfield. Although the Blaugrana want a new pivot, the ideal target is Martin Zubimendi and he seems uninterested in leaving Real Sociedad.
Instead, Flick could utilize a two-man pivot like he did at Bayern Munich, where he truly got the most out of stars Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich.
A pairing of Ilkay Gundogan and Frenkie de Jong might actually be even better. Gundogan was phenomenal for Barcelona in 2023/24 in his first season with the club, bringing that Champions League pedigree with him.
This midfield three has all-around ability and that something extra in Gavi, who is one of the biggest young talents in world football. His return will be such a huge boost.
Attack
LW Pedri
ST Robert Lewandowski
RW Lamine Yamal
Thomas Muller racked up the assists as the “Space Interpreter”, flourishing under Hansi Flick after a frustrating time working with Niko Kovac.
Perhaps Hansi Flick can utilize Pedri as a playmaking support striker on the left, and the young Spanish international is a much better fit for this role on the left wing than the left-footed and much less consistent Joao Felix.
Robert Lewandowski was even more of a machine than usual under Flick. His wages preclude a transfer, so Barcelona might as well make the most of him.
Lamine Yamal is the new face of Barcelona and will surpass even Gavi and Pedri as the biggest gem on the team. Flick can have a field day scheming to get the most out of world football’s most hyped prospect.
The managing editor of The Trivela Effect, Kevin has 15 years of experience in digital media. He has been an editor for NFL Spin Zone, Daily DDT for pro wrestling, Autzen Zoo covering the Oregon Ducks, Musket Fire covering the New England Patriots, The Real Champs covering Real Madrid, Old Juve covering Juventus, Rush The Kop covering Liverpool, and Release The Knappen covering Schalke. His work has been featured in ESPN, Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, NBC Sports, and other outlets. You can contact him at the site’s official Twitter handle @TrivelaEffect or via the site’s official email thetrivelaeffect@gmail.com.