Sergino Dest speaks out on former “dishonest” manager Xavi Hernandez

Sergino Dest is happy at Dutch side PSV but the American fullback opened up about the frustrating ending with La Liga giants Barcelona.

Dest, who made the permanent move to PSV last summer, is currently sidelined as he recovers from a torn ACL. The 23-year-old spent last season on loan at PSV, helping Peter Bosz’s men capture the Eredivisie title while also advance to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages.

Prior to his move to the Netherlands, Dest also was loaned out to Serie A side AC Milan despite being a regular under former Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman during the 2020-21 campaign. Xavi Hernandez utilized Dest on 31 occasions during the 2021-22 season before eventually moving on from the versatile full back for other options.

Dest logged 72 appearances for Barcelona during his time in Spain, scoring three goals and winning the Copa Del Rey, however, voiced his frustration with Xavi and how things ended with the Catalan club.

“I wouldn’t say regrets, because how it ended didn’t depend on me, but I don’t feel I had the necessary chances with Xavi,” Dest told Diario Sport in an interview. “I felt like I had to play with limits; that I could not be myself. I want to join the attack, which is my biggest strength, but he asked me not to go forward.

“I don’t think he was honest with me, either,” he added. “We had several conversations in which he told me one thing but after I had doubts whether he really told me the truth. In the summer [of 2023], before going on holiday, he told me: ‘I am counting on you, don’t read the press.’ And as soon as I returned, he told me: ‘You have to go.’”

Dest has since become an important player for PSV when healthy, scoring two goals and adding seven assists in 37 combined appearances. He’s also teamed up with fellow USMNT players Malik Tillman, Ricardo Pepi, and Richie Ledezma in Eindhoven, enjoying a luxury that not many players get in their careers.

Although Dest’s contract runs through the 2027-28 Eredivisie season, he’s already got high aspirations of returning to La Liga one day to prove himself again.

“I am really happy and grateful to be at PSV, but I am ambitious and of course I would like to play in one of the big five leagues in Europe again,” Dest said. “I think I am good enough to. With hard work and consistency I think I can achieve it, no doubt. I don’t know what will happen, but I would like to return to LaLiga in the future.”

Dest is expected back in action in January 2025 after a lengthy absence.