Xavi considers future in La Liga management after Barcelona exit

Hansi Flick took over at Barcelona in July 2024, and since then, little has been heard from Xavi. He's not been linked to other managerial roles, but the coach has no intention of letting his career fade away. On Saturday, he made his return to the media spotlight as the star of France Football’s latest issue.

Xavi, now eager to continue his coaching career, is not averse to facing Barcelona from the sidelines of another team. "I haven't set anything in stone, I'm open to offers. Why not manage another La Liga team? I'm looking for an exciting project and have the ambition to win trophies," he told the French magazine.

Currently, Xavi spends his time analysing football from across the globe, staying informed on developments and players of interest. He has his favourites: "I like watching teams that play the ball. Coaches like Guardiola, Arne Slot at Liverpool, Kompany at Bayern, and also following leagues in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Portugal. I want my players to enjoy themselves, play attractive football for the fans, and win titles. I want to win the Champions League, the Euros, the World Cup..."

Xavi arrived at Camp Nou in November 2021 following Ronald Koeman's sacking. Although he had been linked with the position before, he only accepted the role then: "Barcelona had tried to bring me in twice before Laporta, but I didn't feel ready. That's why I spent two and a half years at Al Sadd, where I could manage, try things and win titles. When Barcelona called me, it was one of the best days of my life," he added.

The constant comparison to Guardiola might have affected him during a period that had both highs and lows. Xavi defends much of his work at Barcelona: "My first year and a half at Barca was very, very good. We finished second before winning La Liga in 2023, along with the Spanish Super Cup. After that, the results weren't as good. The departures of Jordi Cruyff and Mateu Alemany were tough blows.

"The club was in one of its worst situations in history, even worse than the early 2000s. Expectations were very high compared to my history as a manager. My deep attachment to Barcelona sometimes didn't help me. Perhaps I was too sentimental at times, but it was a real learning experience," said Xavi, emphasising the importance of the context in which he arrived and offering some self-criticism.

"I admit that I made some mistakes in my management. The departure of Busquets forced us to rethink our playing style. I acknowledge that playing with a three-man midfield wasn't always the best option, but I'm proud of trusting in a new generation of players," he explained. "Beyond titles, my greatest pride is having given confidence to Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde... they represent the future of the club."