The nightmare Xavi Hernández is living with his new team: Barça affected

When Xavi Hernández decided to bring his time as Barça's coach to an end, few imagined this outcome. More than twelve months have passed since he managed his last match with the Catalan club. What seemed like a temporary pause has turned into a deeper disconnection than expected.

His departure was painful but necessary at a delicate moment for the team and for himself as a coach. Despite the titles won—La Liga and Supercopa in the 2022/23 season—his cycle seemed exhausted. The pressure, the club's economic context, and the results led to an inevitable exit.

Xavi left a mark and key players for the culé future

However, his legacy goes beyond trophies: Xavi bet on the youth academy and changed the course of several young players. Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, and Fermín López were his greatest successes, now indispensable for Hansi Flick. He knew how to spot internal talent and give them confidence at the right moment.

Many agree that his commitment to youth was the foundation of the current project. Barça has recovered part of its essence, and Xavi was one of those who helped plant that seed. Although his time ended earlier than expected, his mark remains very much alive.

Xavi Hernández and Lamine Yamal | @FCBarcelona

Since his departure, Xavi has received offers from major clubs, but none have fully convinced him. Both Juventus and Manchester United contacted him to lead their new projects. Both clubs have suffered instability on the bench and saw him as a solution for the future.

The problem is that the Egarense doesn't want to rush. He is convinced that he must wait for the ideal opportunity, with a favorable environment. He doesn't want to repeat past mistakes or get involved in projects that don't fit his philosophy.

He also turned down tempting offers from Saudi Arabia

In addition to Europe, multimillion-dollar offers also came from Saudi Arabia for Xavi. Clubs like Al-Hilal, which just signed Simone Inzaghi, considered him an ideal profile. However, neither the money nor the power of the project made him change his mind.

The Catalan coach evaluated the conditions but ultimately ruled out the move to Saudi soccer. He believes he can still compete at the European elite and doesn't want to disconnect from top-level soccer. Keeping his reputation as a high-profile coach is a priority.

Xavi Hernández | @FCBarcelona

With preseason about to begin for most teams, the situation has become clearer. According to Esport3, Xavi won't coach any team this summer. Barring a last-minute surprise, he will start his second consecutive season unemployed.

Despite this, he isn't closing the door to future moves. His inner circle doesn't rule out that he could take on a project mid-season, if the right circumstances arise. Everything will depend on what happens in the coming months in the coaching market.

The national team, an alternative gaining strength

There's another possibility on the table that Xavi views favorably: coaching a national team. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, he could accept an international challenge if the opportunity arises. His profile would fit a federation seeking identity, method, and tactical culture.

For now, there aren't any formal contacts, but there is interest from some federations. Xavi doesn't rule out that option and keeps all doors open. What's important for him is to find the right place to return with strength.

So, while clubs like Juventus or Manchester United have already looked elsewhere, Xavi's future remains hanging in the air. Nobody expected that after leaving Barça, his most likely fate would be to spend another season on the sidelines. But as of today, that seems closest to becoming reality.