Xavi’s competence and skills are beyond doubt, but his record puts him in a difficult position. The Terrassa-born coach has the worst record of all the Barcelona coaches who have remained in charge for 50 games. A decisive factor that helps to explain this difficult situation is that he is the only one who has not had Lionel Messi in any of his matches.
Against Real Madrid, Xavi was taking charge of his 50th game (37 last season and 13 this season) on the bench in all competitions. But the defeat against Carlo Ancelotti‘s side, the Catalans’ first of the current season in LaLiga, means that he has the worst record of the last few coaches who have reached that number of games with the club.
Xavi’s record
The former midfielder has a record of 28 wins, 11 draws and 11 defeats. Frank Rijkaard‘s record was very similar, but slightly better: the Dutchman started his time with the same number of victories but managed one more draw and one less defeat. Luis Enrique, on the other hand, is the one who has had the most promising start on the bench: 42 wins, three draws and five clean sheets.
In between are Pep Guardiola, Tata Martino, Tito Vilanova, Ernesto Valverde and Ronald Koeman. In their first 50 matches, the City boss and the Argentine coach had 37 wins, eight draws and five defeats. Vilanova began his time in the dugout with 36 wins, eight draws and six defeats. Athletic Club’s current coach, meanwhile, achieved the same number of wins, but drew 11 and lost three times.
Xavi’s predecessor, Koeman, won 33 of his first 50 games, took one solitary point from seven and lost 10.
One circumstance that helps to understand the record of Xavi Hernandez, is that he is the only one of these coaches who has not counted on Leo Messi in any game.
Joan Laporta has reinforced his team, this summer he has spent 158 million euros on signings, but he has not enjoyed the goals or the overall quality of the Argentine star, who now plays for PSG.
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