Xavi Hernandez and Barcelona’s relationship appeared troubled in January but they have chosen to stay together in a convenient partnership.
After the coach stated he would depart at the season's end from a dream job that turned out to be frustrating and unpleasant, three months later he changed his mind dramatically.
“In January I thought it was best for me to leave, but now I see it differently,” Xavi said at a press conference Thursday.
President Joan Laporta said the club required “stability” and not hasty decision-making, despite failing to achieve any of their goals this season.
The decision came shortly after Barcelona’s Clasico loss to Real Madrid, leaving them 11 points behind the leaders in La Liga, and elimination from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain.
Those defeats essentially guarantee Barcelona will finish the season without a trophy, a letdown after their first La Liga title in four years last season.
Barcelona did manage to compete with Europe’s top teams in a way they have not in years past — achieving their best Champions League result on the road in a decade with a 3-2 win at PSG.
They reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 2020 and eliminated Serie A champions Napoli.
While Xavi’s list of justifications this season has been extensive, Ronald Araujo’s early red card against PSG in the second leg was a key factor in the second-leg 4-1 collapse.
Lamine Yamal’s highly disputed “ghost goal” in the 3-2 Clasico loss to Real Madrid is another critical flashpoint which went against Barcelona.
“It’s in our hands now,” said Xavi, after years dreading the worst on the biggest nights against superior forces.
However, the club’s improvement since Xavi’s initial decision in January is not the primary reason they are willing to keep him, just the simple explanation.
Despite Laporta claiming they had not explored alternative options, Barcelona could not identify a suitable one.
Reserve team coach Rafa Marquez was not particularly convincing, nor was the favorite to replace Xavi, Hansi Flick.
Julian Nagelsmann is staying with Germany, Thomas Tuchel has struggled with Bayern Munich and would likely prove too costly for Barcelona anyway.
As would Jurgen Klopp, who desires a break after his time at Liverpool — taking over at chaotic, financially troubled Barcelona would be completely contradicting.
Next season, if things go wrong, Laporta has Marquez as an exit strategy.
Appointing the Mexican now would lead to another potential new coach having to be found after, along with the financial consequences.
“Regarding money, Xavi has acted with great dignity,” said Laporta. “He has never been greedy.”
• Xavi a shield? –
Xavi also provides Laporta with protection from the constant criticism — the only reliable flood in drought-stricken Catalonia — with the 44-year-old’s illustrious past as a Barcelona player making him an easy target.
Barcelona can also hope that retaining Xavi will still prove beneficial, with each year as the head coach providing essential new experiences for a novice coach.
If they give up on Xavi, they would also have to give up on Barcelona's possession style of football to some extent, since Xavi is the main supporter of it besides Pep Guardiola, even if that hasn't always shown on the field.
Also, Xavi finds staying very attractive.
Although he faces a lot of criticism, it really is his dream job and one he may never have the opportunity to do again.
For years, he talked about his determination to coach the club he loves, and it might be Barcelona or nothing for him.
Because of the club's financial problems, his transfer options are restricted, but the emergence of teenagers Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi means Barcelona have essentially added two world class players from the youth academy.
They have been crucial in Barcelona's improvement and may have given Xavi the confidence that he can help the club compete for trophies again next season.
Now Xavi can imagine leaving with success, presenting a major trophy at the club's updated Camp Nou stadium next summer.
AFP
