In late January, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández surprised everyone with the unexpected announcement of his intention to leave the team at the end of the 2023/2024 season. He also stated that his experience as a technician was decidedly less than pleasant.

Not everyone believed the veracity of this announcement: many thought that he would retrace his steps at the end of the season, in case things took a positive turn. Yet, his perseverance in this decision has made it clear that it is a permanent choice.

Xavi and the media pressure following his announcement

It wasn't the first time the media approached Xavi on this issue. Some journalists even went so far as to ask what the ideal Barcelona manager would be like. The 44-year-old recently revealed that he has no regrets about his decision to leave the team.

Currently, Barcelona are second in the table, with 73 points, ahead of Girona, who they managed to overtake. Real Madrid tops with 84 points.

In short, Xavi's response to media questions remains unchanged despite the speculation. We haven't seen any hesitations.

But who is the ideal successor?

Xavi himself hasn't given much information on suitable candidates to take over, but one thing is clear: the next manager will have to know Barcelona's ways. A fundamental characteristic, he said, is having the same DNA as Barcelona.

What does it mean? That the future manager must already have a deep connection with the team, having played in it or having significant training experience with the club.

Xavi himself played at the club from 1998 to 2015. According to statistics, coaches who have a pre-existing connection with the team are more successful than those without roots in Barcelona.

A person like Pep Guardiola, for example, who played for Barcelona and also coached the team, would be an excellent option, given his successes. However, unfortunately for Barça, Pep is more likely to move to Serie A after Manchester City. Going back, actually, would also be strange.

Barcelona should look for coaches of the caliber of Mikel Arteta, Rafael Marquez (current coach of Barcelona B) and, dare we say, José Mourinho. Like it or not, Mourinho knows how to bring out the best (and worst) in a team.

Other big names likely to be people up to the task would be Julian Nagelsmann, Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Tuchel and Hansi Flick. But the lack of connection with the team puts them at a disadvantage.

In the history of the club, only one successful manager had no roots in Barcelona: this is Frank Rijkaard, who led the team to win the Champions League in 2006. Be that as it may, showing off a winning attitude and the desire to win everything, the next coach will have to be ready to cope with the pressure that comes with coaching a big team.
Current form of the team

Currently, Barça is not in great shape either financially or on the pitch. Coaching a struggling team requires enormous resilience. Since Messi's departure, Barcelona are no longer the same, and have only won La Liga in 2023 , following their previous victory in the 2018/19 season.

Barcelona are barely clinging to their dream of winning the Champions League this season, after a lean period of almost ten years without winning the coveted trophy. They have already lost the Spanish Super Cup against bitter rivals Real Madrid

Losing La Liga again would be the knife in the wound. Barça were also knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-finals. In short, the last chance to grab a trophy this season remains the very tough Champions League.

Final thoughts

With Xavi's exit just around the corner, Barcelona must adequately prepare for the management of the 2024/25 season. Once the blow has been taken and Xavi's decision accepted, we need to think about a replacement.

In short, just like we do when we bet our money on an online slot we're familiar with, Barcelona need to bet on a new manager who really knows what tiki-taka is.

Nobody should judge Xavi's decision. The pressure to keep the team on track is often unbearable. Great results would mean winning La Liga, showing off impressive performances in the Champions League and taking home even more titles and trophies.

Winning the La Liga is practically already within Real Madrid's pocket, so Barcelona would be better off diverting all their energy towards the Champions League if they want to take home at least one title this season.

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