Spain coach Xavi admitted he has been under pressure since returning to lead Barca because of unfair comparisons with his former teacher Pep Guardiola.
In his first full season as coach at Camp Nou, Xavi helped Barca overthrow Real to win La Liga four games early and for the first time since 2019. Before that, the Spanish coach also helped Barca crush their arch-rivals 3-1 in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.
However, Xavi has faced criticism for his pragmatic style of play and his desire for Barca to play with the same enthusiasm in attack that Guardiola set when he was in charge at Camp Nou from 2008 to 2012. In La Liga this season, Barca have won 11 games 1-0 and set a record of 26 clean sheets, despite still having a final game against Celta Vigo on June 4.
"The shadow of Guardiola weighs on me as a coach," Xavi said on June 1 on Catalonia's TV3 channel. "I don't think it's fair to keep making comparisons. That happened when I was a player too. Everyone changes and turns a new page."
Xavi watches a Barca training session at Joan Gamper Stadium. Photo: fcbarcelona.com
The 43-year-old coach does not feel supported from outside for his achievements at the club, but believes he is highly regarded internally and by the board. According to ESPN , Xavi will "soon agree" a new contract with Barca until the summer of 2026.
"Yes. Sooner or later we will find common ground," Xavi revealed about the renewal negotiations. "I know the club will do their best and I hope there will be no problems. In the end, I will renew and I hope to continue to contribute to Barca for many more years."
After leaving Qatari club Al Sadd to return to Camp Nou, one of Xavi's biggest challenges will be to move on from his former teammates to give opportunities to younger players. This season, centre-back Gerard Pique has announced his retirement, while midfielder Sergio Busquets and defender Jordi Alba will leave the club in the summer of 2023, although their new destinations have not yet been announced. Xavi said he had similar experiences at the end of his career at Barca under Luis Enrique.
"When you have to make a decision that the players don't want, it becomes difficult," Xavi admitted. "I had to tell Pique to accept being on the bench, to play less. I even had trouble sleeping because we had so much fun together. With Alba, I felt like I had let him down as a friend, but you have to put the club first. Alba was angry, which is understandable. And he, Pique, Busquets chose the right moment to leave."
Having said goodbye to three former teammates, Xavi urged president Joan Laporta to re-sign Lionel Messi as a free agent in the summer of 2023. "In terms of what I am in charge of, the professional aspect, there is no doubt that if Messi returns, he will help us," he said. "I have no doubt that Messi is still the one who makes the difference, the desire, the winner and the leader."
Xavi also wants Barca, after winning the La Liga and Spanish Super Cup double, to improve their performance in the Champions League - where they have been eliminated in the group stage for two consecutive seasons. He described not being able to compete in Europe as "one of the worst feelings" of his coaching career, and stressed that Barca must strengthen their squad to compete better in the Champions League.
Hong Duy
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