Following Ronald Koeman’s sacking, it has been reported that Xavi Hernandez has accepted an offer to become the new Barcelona manager.
The club legend is currently managing Qatari side Al Sadd, but a compensatory deal is expected to be agreed in the coming days.
❝[The players] need to find a way, whatever way they can, to achieve this victory.❞ — @sergibarjuan12 ahead of #DynamoBarça in the @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/9fmbBas4Cf— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 1, 2021
❝[The players] need to find a way, whatever way they can, to achieve this victory.❞ — @sergibarjuan12 ahead of #DynamoBarça in the @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/9fmbBas4Cf
Ever since Xavi left Camp Nou as a player, there has always been talk about him returning to Barcelona in a coaching role.
It has long been thought that he would coach his beloved club one day, but is it too soon for him to return? And he is the right man for the job at this moment in time?
It is no secret that Barca are in a mess both on and off the field right now. Debts amounting to more than €1 billion have led to the team’s demise.
When Koeman was sacked, the club found themselves ninth in the La Liga table – nine points behind first-place Real Sociedad.
The first game of the post-Koeman era ended in a 1-1 draw with Alaves on Saturday, despite Barca enjoying 80% possession.
Needless to say, Xavi has a lot of work to do. But with a limited coaching CV, has he got what it takes to steady the ship and turn things around?
The 41-year-old has an impressive managerial record. Granted, the Qatar Stars League is nowhere near the level of La Liga. But you have to give credit where it’s due.
Xavi has overseen 90 games as Al Sadd manager, recording 62 wins, 12 draws and 16 losses in the process. That gives him a win percentage of almost 70%.
Al Sadd have scored 249 goals and conceded 113 during his tenure, while they also average 2.20 points per game under the Spaniard.
It is also worth remembering that Xavi spent his entire playing career at Camp Nou, coming through the academy and learning the club’s philosophy.
As a result, he understands exactly how a Barcelona team is supposed to operate, and he also knows what’s expected of him.
Xavi played a whopping 767 games for the club, accumulating 85 goals and 185 assists along the way. He is a true Blaugrana icon.
Of course, it will take time for him to turn things around in Catalonia. Although Barca are a huge club, they have plenty of problems at the moment.
That said, if Xavi can revive the club’s identity and bring a winning mentality back to Camp Nou, it could prove to be a match made in heaven.