Xavi stays! A decision that can propel Barcelona back to its glory days

By
Prosper Kuzo
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Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images
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Xavi Hernandez has decided to stay at Barcelona after initially stating in January his desire to leave the club come end of the season.

Many fans and football followers are still in shock at his decision, believing there is more behind why and how Barcelona’s management convinced him to stay. Guarantees, key signings, technical reinforcements?

Here’s a breakdown of Barcelona under Xavi Hernandez and what his decision to stay means for the Catalan club.

Xavi assumed the role of Barcelona head coach in November 2021. It was a truly tough time for the club, as Barcelona sat in 9th place on the league standings in La Liga, while on the verge of elimination in their UEFA Champions League group in the 2021/2022 season.

Xavi took over, and Barcelona still failed to clinch a place in the knockout round after failing to beat Benfica at home at the Nou Camp.

For the first time in a long time, Barcelona dropped down from Europe’s premium club competition to the Europa League soon after Xavi took charge. Yet there were many positives to come for the Blaugrana that season.

The fantastic four

Barca signed veteran defender Dani Alves back to the club in November but also transformed their attack with the announcement of Ferran Torres from Manchester City, Adama Traore on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Pierre Aubameyang from Arsenal on a permanent deal. These signings turned the tides around in Catalonia.

Barca then managed to finish the season strong in second place under Xavi with a memorable 4-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu in the return fixture of El Classico that season, with young players like Pedri Gonzalez and Gavi gaining momentum and experience in their lockers.

Xavi breaks the four-year La Liga drought

The 2022/23 season was that transformational year for Barca. Having failed to win La Liga since 2019, Xavi went on to make some key signings to improve his squad to compete both domestically and in Europe.

That season was a touching year for Barca fans. Led by Matheu Alemany as Sporting Director at the time, the Catalans signed the then FIFA Men’s Player of the Year Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich. Other key signings included Sevilla’s Jules Kounde, alongside Frank Kessie and Andreas Christensen who arrived on free transfers from Milan and Chelsea respectively.

Barca went strong that season first by beating long-term rivals Real Madrid to win the Spanish Super Cup.

Then, the team’s confidence at the time was unbeatable, and the Catalans secured La Liga as well in style, conceding only 20 goals in 38 matches in the 2022/23 season. Xavi had broken the jinx, and Barca had won two titles since Lionel Messi’s departure in 2021.

The only negative was the club’s embarrassing performance in the Champions League after failing to qualify from their group which had all of Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Victoria Plzen.

This season, however, Barcelona were far from how good they were last season.It was partly attributed to injuries as Gavi, Alejandro Balde, Frenkie De Jong, Pedri, Ter Stegen, Inigo Martinez and many other players including Robert Lewandowski found themselves on the sidelines.

Following Barca’s 4-1 humiliation to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final in January 2024, and a 5-3 loss in La Liga to Villareal, Xavi announced his decision to depart the club in the summer.

That decision became even more realistic after Barcelona’s drastic elimination from the Champions League to PSG at home in April 2024, before a 3-2 loss at the hands of Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu five days later.

Nonetheless, there’s been a huge turnaround surrounding Xavi’s future. Following a meeting between the club’s management and Xavi at President Joan Laporta’s house on Wednesday, the Spanish coach has changed his mind, indicating that there is unfinished business at the Catalan club.

“I am 100% committed. The trust they have placed in me again is spectacular. Let’s get to work. I think this is what’s best for the Club.
The project is not finished. I’m a huge Barça fan. I have a high level of trust with the president and the board of directors. The complicity and support of the players has also been key”, he said to the press on Thursday after the club’s announcement of his continuance.

Barcelona have 21 wins, seven draws and four defeats in La Liga this season, yet although the title is almost out of reach, Xavi has 93 wins in 146 matches as coach of Barcelona, drawing 25 times while losing 28 games in the period. A 65% win rate at the club in two and a half seasons at the Catalan club. Not bad perhaps, but per Barcelona’s true standards, not explosive enough either.

For now, Barcelona will be looking to keep their slot as runners-up of La Liga at least to qualify for the Spanish Super Cup semi-final next season, as they look to bounce back to their glory days and recover injured players alongside a blend of youth and experience for the coming years.

The big question will be what key signings Xavi makes next summer to define Barcelona’s season and how he sets up his side tactically to defy the odds of opposition he faces.

Without a doubt, Xavi’s dedication and hunger for success at Barcelona are unquestionable. He has until the summer of 2025 to silence his critics and establish a new era at the club.