Xavi Hernandez Admits Fatal Error That Cost Him His Barcelona Job
Former Barcelona icon Xavi Hernández acknowledged that failing to uphold "elevated expectations" during his concluding campaign as the club's coach led to his eventual departure.
The ex-midfielder turned tactician guided Barcelona to Spanish Super Cup and La Liga success in his inaugural managerial season during 2022–23. Nevertheless, his initially bright coaching spell crumbled completely in the subsequent campaign, leaving Xavi unemployed since then.
During a presentation at Madrid's ESIC University, a reflective Xavi discussed the errors he believes contributed to Barcelona's 2023–24 difficulties and his ultimate sacking.
"I began my managerial journey at Barça with elevated expectations," he stated, according to MARCA. "For both players and the institution, considering the club emerged from an era lacking significant demands. My error was sustaining those benchmarks for just one season."
"[Following our La Liga and Spanish Super Cup victories], I reduced those elevated expectations and the squad lost that identical mindset, that same dedication, that commitment. The benchmarks continued declining progressively until we achieved nothing in my final campaign.
"Eventually, I managed to reflect critically and questioned myself: 'What on earth happened to me?'"
Xavi's Enduring Impact as Barcelona Coach
Xavi arrived at Barcelona during a period when serious financial constraints limited the club's transfer market capabilities. The Spaniard's approach? Depend on their greatest foundation: La Masia.
During Xavi's tenure, youth academy products like Gavi and Alejandro Balde secured their positions in Barça's first team. He also provided professional opportunities to talents including Marc Casadó, Fermín López, Pau Cubarsí and particularly Lamine Yamal. These players continue as essential components of Barcelona's present squad.
However, Yamal emerges as Xavi's most significant and triumphant risk. He made Yamal Barcelona's youngest-ever first-team player in April 2023, at merely 15 years old, then provided him 50 matches in 2023–24, creating the foundation for him to become recognized as among the world's elite players.
Yamal's remarkable development has been extensively discussed throughout the past year, and Xavi takes satisfaction in contributing to this journey.
"I take great pride in what Lamine Yamal is accomplishing currently," Xavi commented. "And in providing him the chance to make his first-team debut. I recognized his readiness despite being only 15 years old."