Former Barcelona defender Sergino Dest has lashed out at previous boss Xavi Hernandez, alleging the World Cup winner didn’t give him alternatives to shine in Catalonia.

Dest was an everyday in his first season at Camp Nou beneath Ronald Koeman, making 44 appearances and one other 31 in his second marketing campaign because the Dutchman was changed by fellow membership legend Xavi in 2021.

The USMNT worldwide was loaned out to Serie A giants Milan for the 2022/23 marketing campaign and now performs for PSV Eindhoven within the Netherlands, having accomplished a free switch in June earlier this 12 months.

Dest, who has beforehand been crucial of Xavi’s remedy, has claimed the previous midfielder was dishonest with him.

“I do not assume he was sincere with me,” he informed Diario SPORT. “We had a number of conversations the place he informed me one factor, however then I doubted whether or not it was actually true.

“In the summertime, earlier than happening vacation, he informed me ‘I am relying on you, do not learn the press’. And as quickly as I bought again, he informed me ‘it’s important to go’.

“I would not say I remorse it [time at Barca], as a result of ultimately, it wasn’t one thing that trusted me.

“However I do not really feel like I had the mandatory alternatives with Xavi. I felt like I needed to play inside limits, that I wasn’t myself. I wished to hitch the assault, as a result of that is my best advantage, however he requested me to not go up.

“It was an unbelievable and great expertise. I’ll at all times carry Barca in my coronary heart. It was a disgrace that it needed to finish like this as a result of I felt I may nonetheless be helpful to the membership. However when a brand new coach arrives and has his concepts, you’ll be able to’t change them.”

Again in January, Dest admitted he would solely have a chance to play for Barca once more if Xavi left as supervisor. After a 2023/24 marketing campaign stuffed with turmoil on and off the sector, he was sacked and changed by Hansi Flick, who led La Blaugrana to the highest of the La Liga standings earlier than the October worldwide break.

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