FC Barcelona – What is Xavi Hernández like as a coach? / LaLiga – ŠPORT.sk

On Thursday afternoon, the management of Barcelona then temporarily entrusted the management of the team to the coach of the B-team coach Sergi Barjuan. However, according to the behind-the-scenes information, it is to serve as only a truly temporary alternative. One of the greatest personalities not only of the history of this famous club, but also of football as such – Xavi Hernández should return to Catalonia.

IT WAS CLEAR ALL EVERYTHING IT WOULD RETURN

Xavi’s great football story began in 1991, when, as an 11-year-old boy, he first entered the grounds of the famous Barcelona La Masia Academy. 24 years later, with tears in his eyes, he said goodbye to his beloved club in front of the hopelessly sold-out Camp Nou in the position of one of the best midfielders in history.

Sir Alex Ferguson once said: “In fact, it was not Messi who posed the biggest problem for us. It was Iniesta and Xavi. They knew how to keep the ball on their feet calmly all night. ”

Xavi played a total of 767 matches for the “Blaugranas” and during his career he won practically everything he could: eight times the LaLiga, four times the Champions League and three times the Copa del Rey. Add to this the triumph at the World Championships in Africa (2010) and two victories at the Euro (2008 and 2012). In addition, if he had not lived in the era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronald, he would probably have won the Golden Ball.

As early as 2015, when he was leaving the Catalan Grand Club, everyone had the certainty that he would return one day. The bond between him and Barcelona was simply too strong. However, almost six years ago, it broke up when Xavi headed to exotic Qatar, where he wore an Al Sadd jersey as a player at the end of his career.

In 2019, he definitely hung his football boots on a nail. However, he did not take a long break from football, as a few days later he met his former teammates at Al Saddu training again, this time as head coach.

“I can’t take a Ferrari or a huge ocean liner right away. I have to start with a small boat, a smaller car. I have to test myself first and gain experience. My plan is to start training in Qatar, where I will not be under so much pressure. I want to prove that I have what it takes and gain valuable knowledge. The ultimate goal is then to return to Europe and, first and foremost, to return to Barcelona. “ Xavi explained to Marco, Spain, three years ago.

Well, it looks like the coveted return to the Catalan capital is literally about to fall at this point. According to several sources from the club, Barcelona and Xavi have already finally agreed on the terms of the contract and it is only a matter of days before Joan Laporta officially introduces him as the new head coach.

However, it must not be forgotten that Xavi still has a valid contract with the Qatari team Al Sadd, which means that the “Blaugranas” will probably have to pay a considerable “ransom” for him.

DOMINANCE ON THE CATHERN SCENE

Over the past two seasons, Xavi and Al Sadd have clearly shown everyone that he definitely has the potential to become one of the best football coaches in the world in the future.

“She is getting better every day. The first steps in his coaching career were excellent. The question now is, what will be his future? You need time to become a respected coach. But if you are as intelligent as Xavi, everything is easier for you to get to know. His team is definitely playing the best football of all in Qatar at the moment, ” revealed to The Athletic his view on the matter of former coach Al Saddu or the US, Nigeria and Mexico national teams Bora Milutinovich.

In his first coaching season, Xavi and Al Sadd finished 3rd in the Qatar League standings and won the Qatar Cup. Last year, his team already won the Qatar League with a convincing 13-point lead and also defended the triumph in the Qatar Cup.

In addition, Al Sadd played 8 games in the current season with a balance of 8 wins and a total score of 30:11. The dominance of Xavi’s team is clear, but on the other hand, it must be said that Al Sadd is historically the most successful Qatar club, which currently has the strongest staff in the league.

“Their style of play is very similar to Barcelona. He is a club that knows well the club in which he grew up. No matter which team they play against, Al Sadd always has 60 or even 70 percent possession of the ball. They have great quality and if they want, they are able to win by six or seven goals, which they have often managed to do.

Xavi deserves great respect for this. He can almost always get the most out of his players, even if they enter every match as a favorite. This is not easy at all. Al Sadd has long been at the top of the league table. The club simply keeps winning, winning and will win more matches than it loses. But the way Xavi leads his team is admirable, ” said for The Athletic Icelander Heimir Hallgrímsson, who as the coach of the Al-Arabi team, played several times in the Qatari league against Xavi Al Sadda.

WORRY-FREE LIFE ON THE ARAB PENINSULA

Xavi has been living with his wife Nuna in Qatar since 2015. In Doha, the country’s capital, they had both children (daughter Asia and son Dan) and we can also say that their family has life in Qatar really enjoys.

Of course, the high financial reward that Xavi receives from the club also plays a big role, but it may not always be the most important thing. “When Xavi walks around the city, people hardly notice him. Sometimes I see him shopping in a supermarket. Then I look around in amazement and wonder if people around him are even aware of how big a star he really is. It’s definitely great for him that the locals don’t pay much attention to him. It’s a huge difference compared to his life in Barcelona, ​​” admits Nicky Summerbee, a former wingman of Manchester City and Sunderland, who currently also lives in Qatar.

Although life on the Arabian Peninsula is definitely pleasant for Xavi’s family, the legend of FC Barcelona will not stay here forever. Especially after the dismissal of the Dutchman Ronald Koeman from the post of head coach of the “Blaugranas”, it looks like Xavi’s time in the Middle East is irresistibly coming to an end. However, the mission in Qatar has fulfilled its role. She provided him with important basics of coaching for the future.

But now his beloved club is calling him home again. His native Catalonia needs to wake up one of the most successful clubs in history. FC Barcelona has lost its face in recent months.

Lionel Messi’s departure was a painful blow to all Catalans. In addition, the loss and especially the performance of the “Blaugranas” on Wednesday at Raya Vallecano was really unforgivable and only underlined the crisis that Barca is currently going through. However, it is Xavi who should bring with him to the second largest city in Spain the much-needed peace and lost joy of the game. It won’t be easy, but who else, if not him, should return Barcelona to where it really belongs?

“In Qatar, Xavi gradually learned what it means to be a football coach and he enjoys life to the fullest. But his dream is to return to Barcelona. That’s what he really wants. It’s only a matter of time before he leaves Qatar. However, this period is a very valuable preparation for him. He won everything he could here. I know we can’t compare it to the level of football in Europe, but it’s still a great start to his coaching career, “ closes for The Athletic Xavi’s predecessor in the role of head coach of Al Sadd – Heimir Hallgrímsson.