Without a club since this summer and his dismissal from FC Barcelona, Xavi is patiently waiting for a new project. Preparing his return, the Spanish coach already has ideas for his future.
A first experience has come to an end for Xavi. The young 45-year-old coach who had learned his trade in Qatar by coaching the Al Sadd club, where he dominated the Qatari championship, notably with a national title in 2021, then took the big step by joining FC Barcelona. A mixed experience for the Catalan technician. Putting the team in order upon his arrival, he notably won La Liga in 2023 by bringing defensive solidity to the Blaugranas. However, on a European scale, he disappointed with two eliminations in the group stage of the Champions League and a quarter-final last season against Paris Saint-Germain. Insufficient results that cast doubt on Joan Laporta who had renewed him before finally dismissing him a few weeks later.
“As president, we have to put the interests of Barcelona before any other situation. Barça is above all. Xavi has written the history of this club in letters of gold. It was time to give a new impetus. We had to make this change. I want to thank Xavi for his work. He took the reins at a very complicated time and bet on young players. Last season did not live up to our expectations and we had to give this impetus,” confided the Blaugrana president shortly after Xavi’s departure. Free, the 45-year-old coach has not found a bench since. Not wanting to rush, the Terrassa native has not yet found a shoe that fits and is mainly waiting for the end of the season.
Xavi Hernandez knows what project he wants
Moreover, there was no shortage of opportunities to bounce back during the season. Manchester United had contacted Xavi Hernandez shortly before firing his coach Erik ten Hag and rumors linked him to Inter Miami, where his former teammates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba were. The media Sport also reported offers received by Xavi while explaining that he had not been contacted by Juventus despite some rumors linking him to the Turin club. Xavi’s position in this regard is clear, he is taking a sabbatical year in order to start again with his batteries recharged for a new project this summer.
Wanting to find a club ideally, Xavi will not do it under any conditions, because he is aiming for an ambitious European club and is also not closing the door to an experience at the head of a big selection. In addition, he wants to bet on men he trusts for his future as a coach. He would like to leave with his former assistants at Barcelona, his brother Óscar Hernández, who is free, and Sergio Alegre who officiates as assistant to Felix Sanchez Bas at Al-Sadd. He would also like to leave with his former trio of analysts composed of David Prats (Al-Shamal), Toni Lobo (Al-Shamal) and Sergio García (Free). With close friends in his coaching, Xavi wants to be in the best possible comfort for his next step in Europe. Despite a first experience in Qatar, he does not want to return there or even aim for an exotic challenge like Major League Soccer and swears only by a big project. It remains to be seen whether this will happen or not…
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