Xavi Hernández will not continue as the coach of Barcelona after this season. He claims he is unable to get the team out of its rut.
In Short
Xavi announced his decision just minutes after Barcelona’s 5-3 loss to Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday, leaving them trailing league leaders Real Madrid by 10 points.
Xavi Hernández Statement
“I want to announce that on June 30th, I will step down as the coach of Barcelona,” he stated. “As a fan of Barcelona, I can’t allow this situation to persist. We need changes in the program and dynamism.” Xavi mentioned that he made the decision “several days ago,” and though the decisive loss to Villarreal had set the stage for the announcement, he admitted it should have been done sooner. He thinks his team will feel less stressed as a result of this choice.
Being the coach of Barcelona, according to Xavi, is tough and thankless. He described how it seems uncomfortable and nasty, as though you didn’t get the respect you are due. “It wears you down, affecting your mental health and emotions to the point where you feel you can’t move forward. My loved ones know this.”
Xavi returned to coach Barcelona in Qatar in November 2021, having previously led the team to the Spanish Super Cup and La Liga titles in the last season. This season, the team encountered difficulties and showed indications of a severe downturn.
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Despite his successful coaching history, Barcelona struggled this season, losing in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey to Athletic Bilbao after an additional time 4-2 defeat on Wednesday. This loss followed their defeat in the Spanish Super Cup to Real Madrid two weeks ago.
After the Villarreal loss, Xavi commented that there is a lack of “maturity” in his players, wondering how to maintain a lead, and after the Bilbao loss, he also noted that he played with several young players. However, it seemed contradictory that the leadership of his initial team was shared with seasoned players like Robert Lewandowski, Ilkay Gundogan, and Pedro Gonzalez and Frankie de Jong, among others.
Barcelona is getting ready to play Napoli in the Champions League round of 16 the following month. Even though he knows it will be difficult to end his career with a European championship, Xavi said he is still driven to lead the club.
Xavi’s Return to Barcelona: A Tiki-Taka Revival or a Risky Gamble?
Xavi Hernández, the legendary Barcelona midfielder, returned to his boyhood club in November 2021 not as a player, but as the head coach. His appointment was met with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Could the man who orchestrated Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Barca sides revive the club’s fading tiki-taka identity? Or was he taking on a poisoned chalice, destined to inherit a squad in decline and a fanbase hungry for success?
Early Days: Stumbling Steps and Tactical Tweaks
Xavi’s first few months were rocky. The team, ravaged by financial mismanagement and plagued by a lack of confidence, struggled to adapt to his possession-based philosophy. Wins were hard-fought and inconsistent, with defensive frailties and a toothless attack raising concerns about his suitability for the job.
However, Xavi remained unfazed. He tinkered with tactics, experimented with formations, and instilled a renewed emphasis on the Barcelona DNA, quick passing, positional play, and suffocating control. Gradually, the green shoots of progress emerged. Youngsters like Gavi and Nico Pedri flourished under his tutelage, their technical brilliance adding a spark to the midfield. Veteran players like Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets rediscovered their form, inspired by Xavi’s tactical demands and unwavering belief.
La Liga Triumph: A Return to Glory?
The culmination of Xavi’s early work came in the 2022-23 season. Barcelona, energized by their winter transfer window signings and Xavi’s tactical adjustments, mounted a remarkable La Liga challenge. Led by the talismanic Robert Lewandowski, their attack purred, while the defense, bolstered by the arrival of Ronald Araújo, became more resolute.
In a thrilling race to the finish line, Barcelona pipped their arch-rivals Real Madrid to the La Liga title, their first since 2019. The victory was a vindication for Xavi, proving that his tiki-taka philosophy could still thrive in the modern game. The fans, who had endured years of frustration, erupted in joy, their faith in their prodigal son restored.
Balancing the Old and the New
Even with the La Liga victory, Xavi’s Barcelona is not perfect. The team is still thin, especially on defense, and it is concerning how dependent they are on a small number of important players. In addition, careful management is required when Busquets and Piqué are mixed in with the club’s talented young players.
Xavi had to put together a team that could compete on multiple levels while preserving the group’s unique football culture. He had to figure out a seamless way to blend the youthful energy of his players with the experience of his more seasoned players.
His long-term success would depend on his capacity to find a balance between sustainability over the long term and short-term success. even though Xavi’s time as a coach at Barcelona was still in its early stages, it has already been an exciting journey.
Some of the magic of the club has returned thanks to his commitment to the tiki-taka philosophy, but assembling a team capable of winning consistently has proven to be difficult. The future is certain now.
