Barcelona president Joan Laporta aims a sly dig at former manager Xavi in glowing appraisal of Hansi Flick’s impressive start as Blaugrana boss

Barcelona president Joan Laporta appeared to aim a dig at former manager Xavi when praising Hansi Flick.

The German has transformed the Catalan club into a goal scoring machine, taking a squad packed full with attacking youngsters from their famed La Masia academy to the top of LaLiga. 

Barcelona have amassed 21 points from eight games and recorded their first win of the Champions League campaign with a 5-0 thrashing of Young Boys.

On Thursday, Laporta hailed the efforts of the former Bayern Munich and Germany manager when speaking at the Cruyff Foundation’s Open Day. And his comments left some wondering if he was attempting to throw some shade in the direction of Xavi. 

‘Hansi knows that the best times have been when we have had many players from the academy reinforced with players of the level that we have signed.’ Laporta said.

The Barcelona president’s comments appeared to throw some shade at former boss Xavi

‘He is doing very well. He has no excuses in the sense that he does not look for excuses. The injured players are an inconvenience, he overcomes it well, now the important ones are recovering, such as Frenkie de Jong, who has already played, as well as Olmo, Fermin, Gavi.’

Xavi and Laporta displayed a complex public relationship when the Barcelona legend was in charge of the club from 2021 until the summer. 

The 44-year-old delivered a league title in his first full season but success on the continent could not be achieved.

Barcelona continued their impressive start to the campaign with a 5-0 win over Young Boys in the Champions League on Wednesday

Despite Flick’s impressive start, Barca’s performance in the Champions League will ultimately be the measure by which he is judged. 

His side welcome Flick’s former team Bayern to the Olympic Stadium in their next fixture in the competition at the end of the month.