5 reasons why Xavi will be successful as manager at Barcelona

Following the untimely but foreseeable sacking of Ronald Koeman, Catalan legend Xavi has emerged as the favorite to inherit the Dutchman's vacated spot at Barcelona. Currently serving Qatari outfit Al Sadd, the former midfield maestro, has been with his current club ever since leaving Barcelona in 2015. While Xavi is the clear frontrunner to succeed Koeman, several other managers have been linked to the volatile job of managing the Blaugrana.

Barcelona have several managers on their shortlist aside from Xavi

Following his monumental victory in this year's presidential elections, Joan Laporta made his intention clear to replace Koeman as soon as possible. While the enigmatic politician wasn't able to find any suitable candidate for the job in the summer, multiple big-shot managers were approached.

Former Everton manager Roberto Martinez, who is currently the head coach of the Belgian national team, has been on the shortlist for a long time now. River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo is another manager residing on Barcelona's radar. While the appointment of either Erik ten Hag or Andrea Pirlo looks highly unlikely, they too have appeared in the conversation several times.

However, as it stands, Xavi is really close to putting pen on paper with his former side. Having graduated from the esteemed La Masia, the 41-year-old tactician is also a popular choice among Culers. With the possibility of an official announcement increasing with each passing moment, let's take a look at five reasons as to why Xavi could succeed as a manager at Barcelona:

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#5 Familiarity with veteran players

Xavi and Pique celebrating a goal

Having left his boyhood club in 2015, Xavi would be returning to Catalonia a whole six years after his departure, if he were to accept the job proposal in question. During his time, Barcelona were at the peak of their powers, winning a continental treble with some of the best players in the world.

Fast forward six seasons, and only four players from the legendary lineup that decimated Juventus to lift the trophy remain at the club. Interestingly enough, they form the core of the current Barcelona side, still getting relied on despite their growing age.

Having personally played alongside the likes of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique, Xavi adequately knows who to work with the said lot. His experience with the current Barcelona veterans will definitely come in handy as the Blaugrana desperately need to transition from their past generation to the next.

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#4 Born leader and tactician

The Spaniard was the captain of the Blaugrana for one season

Ever since graduating from the prestigious La Masia institution, Xavi had started showing immense interest in leading his side. The adept midfielder would often dictate his team's play, stringing in some of the most beautiful passes ever seen from the center of the park.

The deep-lying midfielder was famous for finding and exploiting spaces, orchestrating a symphony with his passing at Barcelona. Technically gifted, Xavi had a commanding persona on the pitch, playing to his strengths by retaining possession in the direst of circumstances.

Aside from his genius mindset and tactical awareness, the Barcelona legend also possessed acute leadership skills in his playing days. Xavi was officially named club captain in 2014, following the retirement of Carles Puyol. With his experience and talent, Xavi would be the perfect candidate to guide Barcelona back to their glory days.

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#3 A hoard of promising talents at Barcelona

Ansu Fati and Gavi have immense potential

Just like Xavi himself back in the day, Barcelona currently have a young group of players, ready to conquer the world at any given point in time. While there is no lack of enthusiasm or talent in the said bunch, they'll certainly need the guidance of an experienced veteran to expand their success.

Having graduated from La Masia himself, Xavi fully understands the day-to-day functioning of Barcelona's esteemed academy. The former member would be an ideal judge, providing a wide stage of opportunities to the deserving players in order to extract the maximum.

Considering the current lot of youngsters at Barcelona, the Blaugrana have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make the most out of Ansu Fati, Gavi, Ronald Araujo and more. With Xavi to helm their development, Barcelona can achieve wonders in the coming years.

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#2 Xavi's impressive record with Al Sadd

Official Opening of the First FIFA World Cup 2022 Stadium

While most of the talk surrounding Xavi has appreciated his tactical genius and skills as a player, the 41-year-old manager also has the numbers to back them up. After retiring from football in 2019, Xavi took up the responsibility of leading Al Sadd as a manager, that very year.

In the following two seasons, the Qatari outfit have won seven different accolades, including a league title last season. Furthermore, the former Barcelona midfielder has an astonishing record of 63 wins in 95 games with Al Sadd.

While the Qatar Stars League is hardly an elite-level footballing competition, capable enough to determine a manager's pedigree, it is Xavi's first managerial job nonetheless. To keep a 66.32 per cent win-rate with your first club, while maintaining a +139 goal-difference, is proof enough that Xavi is ready for the Barcelona job.

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#1 Barcelona DNA

Real Madrid CF v FC Barcelona - Liga BBVA

The most important and crucial reason behind fans' approval of the proposed decision to elect Xavi as head coach at Barcelona is his rich history with the club. Barring a six-year hiatus in the Middle East, the Catalan has spent the entirety of his professional career, contracted to one club: Barcelona.

A graduate of La Masia, Xavi has attained his footballing education under some of the best Blaugrana tacticians of all time, including Pep Guardiola, Louis van Gaal and Luis Enrique. As a result, the Spanish legend is no stranger to the Barcelona philosophy; an ideology which has lost its way at Camp Nou in recent years.

With Joan Laporta trying his level-best to restore Barcelona's lost pride, Xavi could prove to be the ultimate piece in the jigsaw. Already possessing a passionate president and an exciting, youthful squad, Barcelona just require an adept coach with strong ties to the club to drive them home. And Xavier Hernández Creus fits perfectly into this billing.

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