Former Barcelona playing legend Xavi Hernandez has returned to Camp Nou as head coach, following the sacking of Ronald Koeman.
Over in England the Premier League managerial merry-go-round is in full swing but the appointment of Xavi at the Camp Nou trumps all the moves already underway in the UK, even the drama unfolding at Newcastle United! His return to La Liga is great news for Blaugrana fans who have endured a catastrophic six months, watching their team surrender the league title, lose their prize assets and start badly in the new campaign.
Financial problems have beset the club and that caused a malaise under the old guard, but Xavi is determined to sweep in the changes and haul Barcelona back to the top. The 41-year-old is a folk hero in Catalonia after he represented the club between 1998 and 2015, scoring 58 times in 505 appearances and winning eight La Liga titles and four Champions League titles. He’s a born winner and that’s exactly what the Blaugrana needs right now.
Having signed a contract that takes him through 2024 the new manager addressed the fans, saying: “This is the biggest club in the world and I’m going to work hard to reach your expectations. Barcelona can’t accept a draw or a defeat. We have to win all the games.”
But he has a big task ahead of him with a monumental turnaround needed at the club.
While the Madrid teams and Sevilla have all had good or, in Atleti’s case, respectable starts to the campaign, we can’t say the same for Barcelona as the Catalans languish in ninth place with only four wins from 12 games. They sit 11 points behind leaders Real Sociedad with a game in hand, and the La Liga 2021 betting odds place the Blaugrana as fifth favourites to win the 2021/22 title at a price of 17.00, behind Sociedad, Sevilla, Atletico Madrid and SBOTOP hot favourites Real Madrid.
Xavi got to work on Tuesday, taking his first training session after Barca had paid his release clause with Al Sadd. He moved to the Qatari club in 2015 and took over as manager two years ago and now he wants to make a quick impact on his return to the Camp Nou: “I come prepared,” he said. “My DNA didn’t change. We need to take charge, have the ball, create opportunities and be intense. We have a mission to rescue many things that were lost.”
The new boss has already set some standards and procedures he expects to be met and that might explain why centre back Gerard Pique has just cancelled a television interview. Apparently, the Barca defender had an interview lined up with the Spanish TV programme El Hormiguero; but following the arrival of Xavi that has been shelved.
Potential ins and outs
Every incoming manager wants to put his imprint on a club and build a team he can call his own, and Xavi is no different, but he may have to be patient while president Joan Laporta balances the books. But they can help the cause by offloading some hefty wages, and centre back Samuel Umtiti must be on that list. He has been out of favour for a while and almost left in the summer, and he may be on his way in a couple of months. Luuk de Jong and Neto could also be offloaded to ease cash flow.
In terms of incomings, reports have resurfaced that Valencia left-back Jose Gaya is on Barca’s radar. The Los Che skipper was targeted in summer but chose to stay at the Mestalla, saying: “I know about Barcelona’s interest in me but I am very happy here in Valencia, which is my home.” But he is in the final year of his contract and his club might be willing to listen to offers, and he would be an ideal competition for Barca’s 32-year-old left-back Jordi Alba.
And reports have emerged that Lionel Messi could well return to the Camp Nou in 2023 or possibly even sooner. The Argentine left for Paris Saint-Germain last summer to enable the club to meet financial rules, but if the balance sheet is restored to a respectable position then Barcelona could well have their talisman back. His departure was the biggest headline grabber in the La Liga 2021 news and a return would be equally explosive.
And why not? At 36 years of age in 2023, Messi will still be younger than Cristiano Ronaldo is now, and the Portuguese striker made his way back to Manchester United in the close season. Xavi is good mates with Messi after they won so many titles together and a reunion might just be on the horizon.
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