Xavi 'kicks Barcelona man out of his players WhatsApp group' following his sacking

Xavi kicked one of his Barcelona players out of a WhatsApp group following his sacking, it has been alleged.

On Thursday Barcelona appointed former Bayern Munich and Germany manager Hansi Flick as their new manager on a two-year deal.

Flick replaced Xavi, who was sacked a month after Barcelona had persuaded him to stay at the club as manager.

The 44-year-old steered Barcelona from ninth place in La Liga to the runners-up spot following the sacking of Ronald Koeman. The club were then crowned champions in his first full season in charge.

This term however they failed to mount a serious challenge, surrendering their title to rivals Real Madrid while being knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain at the quarter-final stage.

According to the Spanish publication ‘Sport’, Xavi’s departure has led to tension between the manager and Joan Laporta’s adviser Alejandro Echevarria.

It has been alleged that Xavi has long been in a WhatsApp group with Echevarria as well as a spate of former Barcelona players, including Carles Puyol and Victor Valdes,

And amid a reported breakdown in their relationship upon Xavi’s departure, the former midfielder has allegedly created a new group that includes the same ex-players as the previous group, but not Echevarria.

Earlier this week, Xavi warned his successor to be prepared to "suffer" as Barcelona manager.

Xavi endured a difficult second full season at Barcelona (Getty)

"To the new manager, I tell you: You will suffer. This is a very complicated place to be," Xavi said after his final match in charge, a 2-1 win over Sevilla.

"This is a difficult job and you have to be patient."

He added that he did not have another job lined up and was prepared to wait for the right offer.

He said: "Nothing is closed. I'm a professional, let's see what happens in the future. Of course, I'm open (to a new job), but I think 100 per cent I need to rest a little bit.

"It's so difficult to coach Barcelona. It's been tough last week, but I have my conscience very clear. I'm proud and happy.

"When we got here we knew it was a difficult time for the club and I think we can be proud of the work we have done."