Ex-Barcelona defender Sergino Dest has attacked former coach Xavi Hernández, claiming that the World Cup winner did not give him opportunities to shine in Catalonia.
Dest was a regular in his first season at the Camp Nou under Ronald Koeman, making 44 appearances and a further 31 in his second campaign as the Dutchman was replaced by fellow club legend Xavi in ​​2021.
The USMNT The international was loaned to Serie A giants Milan for the 2022/23 campaign and now plays for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, having completed a free transfer in June earlier this year.
Dest, who has previously been critical of Xavi’s treatment, has claimed the former midfielder was dishonest with him.
“I don’t think he’s been honest with me,” she said Sports newspaper. “We had several conversations where he told me something, but then I doubted it was really true.
“In the summer, before I went on holiday, he said ‘I’m counting on you, don’t read the press’. And as soon as I got back he said ‘you have to go there’.
“I wouldn’t say I regret it (time a Barça), because in the end, it wasn’t something that depended on me.
“But I don’t think I had the necessary opportunities with Xavi. I felt I had to play within the limits, that I wasn’t myself. I wanted to join the attack, because that is my greatest virtue, but he he asked not to go up.
“It was an incredible and wonderful experience. I will always carry Barça in my heart. It was a shame that it had to end like this because I felt that I could still be useful at the club. But when a new coach comes in and has his ideas, he doesn’t you can change.”
In January, Dest admitted that he would only have the opportunity to play again at Barça if Xavi left as coach. After a 2023/24 campaign full of upheavals on and off the pitch, he was sacked and replaced by Hansi Flick, who led the Blaugrana to the top of the La Liga table ahead of the October international break.
