Real Madrid and Barcelona are the two giants of Spain (and arguably Europe), and every step they take tends to resonate loudly. That's why the huge contrast of the clubs' present fortunes continues to draw attention.
For one, there's the excitement and expectation ahead of another UEFA Champions League final, just days after winning La Liga again. For the other, there's the lack of economic control in a project that appears to be without direction — and, perhaps, without a head coach.
Yes, the story of Xavi Hernandez as coach of the Catalans is once more creating headlines, because everything seems to indicate that he is leaving Barcelona. No, you remember correctly the media conference of Joan Laporta, the club president, and Xavi himself confirming that he will carry on for next season, just months after announcing that he would not be staying in charge. The twists and turns of this saga show no sign of stopping, and now, everything points to the exit of the legendary former player.
How did we get to this point? The Sporting News looks at the timeline of Xavi's situation at Barcelona below.
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Is Xavi leaving Barcelona again? Timeline of events
January 27, 2024: Xavi announces he will step down as Barcelona head coach
The start of the year was a period to forget for Barcelona from a sporting perspective: first came a 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the final of the Supercopa de Espana, weeks after being beaten 4-2 at home by Girona — a game that symbolised an uncertain present.
Then came the elimination from the Copa del Rey at the hands of Athletic Bilbao (4-2 again), and just three days later, they suffered an unusual and absurd 5-3 home defeat to Villarreal in a match in which Xavi's men went from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 and then conceded goals in the 84th, 99th and 102nd minutes.
After that clash, Xavi announced he would leave his role at the end of the season, no matter what happened from then on. "I think the situation deserves a change of course," he said. "I am the most responsible, so the players will finally feel free."
April 24, 2024: A full 180 as Xavi stays on
After that post-Villarreal announcement, Barcelona's form improved to the point that they went 13 matches without defeat. What's more, during that run, the Blaugrana defeated Napoli in the Round of 16 of the Champions League and beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 in the away leg of the quarterfinals.
That form was halted by a huge blow: a 4-1 defeat to PSG in the return fixture, which saw them eliminated, followed by another loss in El Clasico against Real Madrid (3-2) that effectively killed the La Liga title race. However, the dynamic and reaction of the squad had changed, as had the coach's situation.
On April 24, it was confirmed that, following meetings between the parties, Xavi would carry on for the 2024/25 season to fulfil his contract with the club. There was even a press conference alongside Laporta, in which both showed their enthusiasm.
"When I met with the president and put the position at his disposal, he showed me great confidence, as did the entire board. The togetherness and support of the players has also been really important," said Xavi.
"The board is unanimous in wanting him to continue. The directors and Barcelona fans have full confidence in Xavi. It's a good thing to maintain the stability of a project," Laporta said.
May 17, 2024: Laporta's change of position, and the comments that could see Xavi leave after all
The world of sport can be as exciting as it is volatile. So it is that, in one afternoon, Laporta can say to assembled media that there is complete confidence in Xavi and that maintaining the stability of a project is good, and a few weeks later change his mind.
On Friday, May 17, reports began to circulate around Xavi's almost certain departure as coach. Journalist Jordi Baste, from RAC1, reported that — barring an unexpected turn of events — Xavi would not be in the dugout next season. To understand the reasons why, it seems we have to go back to the previous game against Almeria, when Xavi made some statements that triggered Laporta's discontent.
"I think the Barcelona fan, the socio [member], has to understand that the situation is very difficult, particularly in economic terms, [for us] to compete with the top competitors, both [Real] Madrid in Spain and in Europe," Xavi said.
"We have an economic situation that has nothing to do with 25 years ago, when the coach came and said, 'I want this player, and this player'. Now, we are not in the same conditions as other clubs who have far more advantageous [financial] fair play situations, or far better economic situations than ours."
Journalist Fabrizio Romano indicated that another bone of contention arose from what Xavi said regarding the signing of Vitor Roque, the Brazilian teenager who hasn't played more than 62 minutes in any game for Barca since signing from Athletico Paranaense. "The intention wasn't for Vitor to come in December, but to stay there," Xavi said of the forward, who made his Barca debut in January.
What we know is that, on May 17, there were meetings between the board and Laporta to address the issue. More news is expected to follow to confirm — or not — Xavi's (new) departure from Barcelona.