Posted on November 8, 2021 at 6.30 p.m. by Dan Marciano
While in Barcelona, Pep Guardiola spoke about Xavi's return to the Catalan club and referred to the comparisons with the former midfielder. For the Manchester City coach, the new training coach must write his own story.
FC Barcelona is going through an unprecedented crisis, both financially and in sport. Appointed in the summer of 2020, Ronald Koeman has failed to reach the top with the Catalan club, which have fallen behind in the league this season. Changes were needed, and as often the first to be sacrificed is the club's manager. President of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta has decided to break the contract of Ronald Koeman and Sergi Barjuan has been in charge of acting, pending the arrival a new technician. After evaluating several profiles, the leader decided on Xavi, present in Qatar since 2015. FC Barcelona sent a delegation to Doha to negotiate with the decision-makers of Al- Sadd. Finally, the Qatari club decided to release the coach , who made his return to Catalonia and who was presented to the press on Monday. “It's a dream come true. In 2015, my dream was to come back and I come back with maximum responsibility and enthusiasm. We have to work hard. Barça is my home, but I know I have a great responsibility. I know I'm coming at a difficult time for the club, but I feel prepared ”admitted Xavi in front of the media. An arrival greeted by several former Barça members.
“I am convinced that he will bring positive energy”
Former coach of Xavi to FC Barcelona, Pep Guardiola believes that Joan Laporta made the right choice in appointing the former Spanish world champion. “If Laporta and the board of directors chose Xavi, it is because there are millions of advantages and few disadvantages. He knows the club, I have no doubts that he will bring a positive energy, due to his way of his vision of football, his dedication, his love of the game and his class, and I am sure he will evolve the situation. He always sees the bright side, “said the Manchester City coach at a charity event organized by Juan Carlos Unzué and in comments reported by Sport. During the presentation of Xavi, some media have also noted similarities between the two technicians.
Xavi, the new Guardiola?
After wearing the FC Barcelona jersey in as a player, Pep Guardiola then embarked on a coaching career. On the Catalan bench, the technician wrote the most beautiful pages of the training. A career plan, also followed by Xavi , which paid homage to its predecessor. “We have to work a lot every day. We are Barcelona, the best club in the world. This is the only way to have great results. We want to offer great football. If they compare me to Guardiola, that's more than positive. Pep is the best coach in the world, “admitted the former midfielder. While in Catalonia, Pep Guardiola also mentioned the comparisons with Xavi , but believes that the latter must forge his own path. “Xavi doesn't have to be my heir or anyone's heir. It must be him. We coaches are what we are. The last decision is always his and he doesn't have to look at the past. In my day we also played some really, really bad games. We also lost titles ”admitted the manager of Manchester City. Guardiola is certain: “Xavi was one of the five most important players in the history of FC Barcelona. We must be by his side now. I am sure he will do well. “