Following what can only be considered a rough first season at Barcelona after taking over from ex-coach Ronald Koeman midway through the 2021/2022 season, Xavi Hernandez has since gone on to prove that he indeed possesses a special kind of loyalty and passion towards this club, helping them accomplish great things in his first full season.
The Spanish manager led the Catalan club to their first La Liga title since the 2018/2019 season, ending a run where two Madrid-based clubs had been exchanging the title between them since, and doing so in dominating fashion.
Moreover, he also overcame Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final with a dominant 3-1 victory over their El Clasico rivals.
In a recent engagement with the press as reported by COPE, ex-Barcelona manager and current head coach of recent continental treble winners Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, spoke highly of Xavi Hernandez in regards to the level he brings to Barcelona and what kind of a manager he is exactly. The Catalan manager stated:
“Barça has a wonderful coach who knows the club and the style. I hope he stays for many years. When he decides that his stage is over, Busquets or someone else will succeed him. As for me, my stage as Barça coach is over.”
Coming from the likes of Pep Guardiola, it is understandably huge praise and the kind that Xavi Hernandez should not take lightly. After all, he is attempting to mark an era at the club similar to his ex-coach and predecessor at the helm of the managerial position.
During the managerial tenure of Pep Guardiola, FC Barcelona enjoyed unparalleled success and steamrolled into becoming the global brand and name that it is in today’s world.
The tactics and revolution under Guardiola propelled Barcelona into European stardom, and it is from among his students that many of the most promising managers of today have come, such as the likes of Xavi, Mikel Arteta, and even Vincent Kompany.
