Outgoing Barcelona manager Xavi has warned that his successor will “suffer” in the role.
The 44-year-old Spaniard was dismissed before their final game of the season, a 2-1 victory over Sevilla.
Hansi Flick, the former Germany and Bayern Munich manager, is expected to replace him.
Xavi, who was contracted until 2025, had initially planned to leave the club in January but reversed his decision and announced in April that he would remain at Camp Nou.
He said: “To the new manager, I tell you: ‘You will suffer’. This is a very complicated place to be. This is a difficult job and you have to be patient.”
The former Spain midfielder became head coach in November 2021 and won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup in his first full season.
This season, Barcelona finished second in La Liga, 10 points behind champions Real Madrid.
Xavi’s sacking occurred a month after the club confirmed he would stay, following remarks he made about Barcelona’s financial struggles, which reportedly angered president Joan Laporta.
“I have the feeling that everything I have done in these two and a half years has caused an earthquake,” he said. “I have been targeted many times in many situations.”
Xavi said his work at the club “not been sufficiently appreciated” and said of the decision to sack him: “I had no choice but to accept it. It doesn’t matter if I agree with the arguments.”
The former Barca player said he is open to a new job but thinks he also needs to “rest a little bit”.
“It’s so difficult to coach Barcelona,” he added. “It’s been tough last week, but I have my conscience very clear. I’m proud and happy.”
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