Reality of no plain sailing means Cules will have to accept patience is a virtue after the excitement of Xavi’s return
The kid, who was taught and raised the Barcelona way, grew to become a legend, conquering all in his path enroute to making history. Xavi Hernandez is a Barcelona legend, one of the very finest, that will for long linger in the memories of the club faithfuls.
One of the finest ever produced at the club's famous Academy, Xavi Hernandez went on to lead a trophy-laden career, both with the club and on the international stage. Becoming arguably the best Midfielder of his time and one of the best in the history of the game.
While not taking anything away from the fact that he was surrounded by classy players and spent almost all his career sharing the spotlight with his teammates, he class was evident. His attributes on and off the pitch all geared well into him becoming a good leader.
Over six years after he left the club, it is undeniable that a lot has changed at the club with more than three different managers taking charge after the departure of Luis Enrique, who was in charge when the Spaniard left for Al Sadd to play in the later days of his playing career.
Weeks after announcing his retirement from playing football, he assumed the role of manager with his club, Al Sadd. His numbers as manager of the club is quite staggering, winning seven trophies in the span of two seasons, with a winning percentage of 66.32 and playing some exciting football.
Now returning to his boyhood club to take over the reigns as the new manager after the sacking of another club legend in Ronald Koeman, who himself was warmly welcomed when he arrived at the club in 2020, after he had paid his own release clause to the Dutch Football Federal in order to have his contract terminated to be able to join the club.
Despite the much love shown to the former Southampton manager, reverse was the case months into the job. The aftermath of poor results all came down on the manager, nonetheless how much individual errors from players caused them some of the games.
For whatever Ronald Koeman has achieved for Barcelona as a player, he will now be more popular for his failed spell as the club's manager. It is easy to fallout with players when results are not getting on your side. As always, it is the manager, and not the players that bears the brunt.
Barcelona faithfuls appeared people yet to move on from their Golden generation, when they paraded the best players in the world. But then how would the current crop of players rank among other LaLiga side, not to talk of players around the world.
During the days of Xavi at the club, Barcelona alone represent at least 40 percent of the World XI for almost over five years, but hardly will one in the current group will make it to the best XI in the Spanish top-flight.
The financial crisis is also having it's toll on the club but fans remain impatient, wanting the glory to come as fast as they had been coming in years past. But this is the reality, that they find very difficult to accept.
Another factor that will pose much challenge for Xavi is the fitness level. In Ronald Koeman's managing the club, he never really had the full squad on run of games, which contributed significantly to his failed spell at the club.
Currently, Barcelona have almost a team of senior players on the sideline. In Koeman's 14 months at the helm, Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati, both whom could be regarded as the most talented forwards at the club were not helped by injuries, missing good part of the games in that time.
However, Xavi has done good in just short time as the manager, with news surfacing that he has fired both the clubs head of physiotherapy, Juanjo Brau and fitness coach Albert Roca, the former is set to be replaced by Carles Nogueira, who was a member of Xavi’s staff in Al Sadd.
Good of the manager to have noticed some of the biggest flaws at the club and addressing them from the onset.
It is undeniable that Xavi brings the free flowing Tiki-Taka football as evident with his Al Sadd side, but then this is Europe, where the competition is more intense.
Moreso, most teams in the Spanish league adopt this style, hence results most times depend on the quality of players, which will then pose another threat to Xavi’s tenure.
You don't have a Lionel Messi to go past four to five players and put the ball in the back of the net, nor will there be anyone like the Argentine. Messi had been the edge for the club over their rivals since the start of the diminish. However, he has now moved on to Paris-Saint Germain, meaning the club have to build from scratch.
Building from scratch takes time as well as patience, but how do you maneuver when a club is in transition, and the fans demand immediate success ? The appetite of the fans is something that could drive manager out of his mind.
Moreso, the competition in Europe is getting more enormous as many clubs have transformed into playing good football, while some others depend on splashing the cash, the later factor which Barcelona will not be able to compete this time.
It might take time for Xavi to restore the former Barcelona, if there is any chance that could ever be. Nonetheless, he will need the fans to be patient in order to avoid a repetition of what transpired with Koeman. In their patience though, there has to be signs that the wait is worth it.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
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