It has not been an eternity since Xavi Hernandez took over at FC Barcelona. The former legend of the club left as a player in 2015 but returned as a manager in 2021. However, a switch up from coaching a team like Al-Sadd in Qatar to Barcelona in Europe’s biggest competitions is no small change.
Regardless of the challenge, the coach has done fairly well to earn his stay. Winning both the La Liga title as well as the Spanish Super Cup in his debut season, Xavi’s first full season in charge went by quite convincingly. However, another commendable aspect about him is also the philosophy of football that he preaches.
This view and appreciation of his knowledge and interpretation of football is appreciated by those close to him. In fact, as highlighted by SPORT, German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan also compared his current Barcelona boss to another legendary manager while speaking to France Football.
“It has many similarities with Guardiola. They have been trained in the same place, they have the same football education, and they know the same demands. They speak the same football language.”
“But I am hungry and still want to learn. At Barça, we still have to grow. We have a path to follow, but it’s a great project.”
Beyond just comparing Xavi and Guardiola, Gundogan also spoke about his own goals. From the German’s perspective, his objective with Barcelona is to continue learning and playing well, stating that the rest of all good things will come naturally:
“I want to keep playing at the highest level for a few more years because I feel very good. I went to Barcelona to take on a new challenge and prove myself at a great club. But I don’t want to set specific goals of having to win ‘this, this, and this title.’ You have to strive and play in the best possible way. Then, victories will come.”
Barcelona and Gundogan next face Girona at the Montjuic Stadium. In a match with significant points and value at stake, both the Catalan clubs will be eager to prove their own worth.
Gundogan will also likely be involved, and he will be hoping to replicate a performance not too dissimilar to the one he put in against Atletico Madrid.