Xavi Hernandez’s transition to becoming the head coach of Barcelona in 2021 marked a significant moment for the club. After the departure of Ronald Koeman, Xavi was appointed as the new manager, bringing with him a wealth of experience both as a player and as a coach.
Xavi as a Barcelona player:
Xavi’s transfer to Barcelona as a coach was seen as a return to his roots, as he had previously played for the club from 1998 to 2015, winning numerous trophies, including multiple La Liga titles and the UEFA Champions League. His appointment brought renewed hope and excitement to the Barcelona fanbase, as they anticipated a return to the club’s winning ways.
During his tenure as Barcelona’s coach, Xavi implemented a dynamic and possession-based style of play that emphasized intricate passing and quick transitions. Under his guidance, Barcelona aimed for significant success, aiming to reclaim their dominance in domestic and international competitions.
Xavi’s impact on Barcelona as both a player and now as a coach is profound, as he continues to shape the club’s identity and philosophy on the field.
The renowned Spaniard, one of Barcelona’s most illustrious players, assumed control of the Catalan club in November 2021 and initially aided in stabilizing the team, guiding Barcelona to La Liga triumph in his inaugural full season at the helm.However, following Saturday’s 5-3 home loss to Villarreal, Barcelona now finds themselves 10 points adrift of league leaders Real Madrid. Additionally, they suffered elimination from the Copa del Rey on Thursday with a 4-2 defeat against Athletic Bilbao, leaving their sole realistic chance of silverware resting in the Champions League.
Nevertheless, given their current predicaments, Barcelona are considered underdogs for the trophy.Barcelona also suffered a comprehensive defeat to arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final in Riyadh earlier this month.
But after all this sudden, Xavi Hernández has agreed to remain as Barcelona coach until the end of his contract in 2025, a source confirmed to ESPN, reversing his decision to step down in the summer.
