Barcelona has been experiencing some heavy turbulence in recent times. But Xavi as their new pilot has steered them away to a much calmer and stable cruising.
Although we admit the sky is not clear yet and we shouldn’t get too ahead of ourselves, but Barcelona can certainly see light at the end of the tunnel with their ex-midfield maestro in the charge of the club.
This claim is not without evidence though. The recent Barcelona results have been in the right direction and we can see shades of old Barcelona penetrating into this brand new one!
Barcelona in their last 7 matches are undefeated, they have won 5 and drew twice, and are now 4th on the La Liga table.
Not too long go they were languishing somewhere at the bottom, so to come from there and be 4th on the table is a commendable achievement.
Yes, they are nowhere close to the Barcelona we know, but with time and patience, Xavi will get them there.
He did it with studs and socks and there is no reason why he won’t do it with a suit and a tie!
With enough time and resources at his disposal, Xavi can make Barcelona, Barcelona again.
Speaking of Barcelona of the past and its managers, here is a list of names that Xavi needs to live up to as he progresses in his new career.
Here is a list of what we think, are the greatest managers of Barcelona!
Ferdinand Daucik – 8 trophies
Ferdinand Daucik managed Barcelona’s first golden phase of glory in the 1950s. Despite an all-powerful Real Madrid team that won titles for fun, both locally and internationally, Dauk ensured that FC Barcelona received a fair portion of the success pie.
Daucik led the Blaugrana to eight trophies in four years, including two LaLiga and three Copa Del Rey wins. Despite his success, his career was cut short by alleged clashes with players and staff, and he left following the 1954-55 season.
Luis Enrique – 9 trophies
He is still regarded as one of the finest managers in club history, having won eight of the ten trophies he competed for during his three-year tenure, including a record treble in 2015.
When he set up Lionel Messi, Neymar Junior, and Luis Suarez in Los Blaugrana’s attack, the manager earned a reputation as the guy who constructed probably the most deadly attacking trio in football history. Luis Enrique won five trophies in his first season and followed it up with an astonishing domestic double in his second.
Johan Cruyff – 11 trophies
Johan Cruyff, the man who gave FC Barcelona its identity, is by far the most significant manager in the club’s history, and his philosophy and results speak for themselves, proving his genius much beyond his time and life.
Cruyff introduced and developed the tiki-taka concept, which was exemplified by generations of FC Barcelona players from their famous “La Masia” academy, and the style that helped Barcelona become a household brand.
Pep Guardiola – 14 trophies
Pep Guardiola is still Barcelona’s most successful manager. He changed the way football was played by introducing the famous tiki-taka system, which proved popular with the club and was both visually appealing and effective.
The Spaniard is credited with bringing out the best in the club’s current captain, Lionel Messi, who won the Ballon d’Or four years in a row under his guidance.
Guardiola is a tremendously successful coach, winning 14 trophies during his four years in command, including two UEFA Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, and a slew of other trophies domestically, in Europe, and across the world.