Xavi Hernández

jamrock

Senior Member
His tactics are generally on point, he just wants specific players to implement his vision,which all coaches want.

Going by now players he's requested have done, I think he knows what he's talking about.

So why would he listen to anyone else about tactics, no top coach really does that.

They have their vision and bring in staff to support it
 

ajnotkeith

Senior Member
The best managers have that crazy arrogance which is almost bordering on delusion.

If Xavi is really him, he should take the United job. Biggest job in the world. Massive scrutiny. Immense pressure. But if he does well, he'll be treated like a demigod.

If he has balls, he'll take the United job. Xavi is a far bigger name in the industry than Enrique or Guardiola were when they were starting their managerial careers.

Taking a Brighton, Sevilla or Lazio job is cute but a legendary manager would be arrogant and delusional enough to take the biggest challenge of all. Prime Jose would confidently take the United job right now. As would Brian Clough.
It can manifest in different ways.

I always emphasise there is a difference between arrogance and self-confidence. That is, some can believe they are the best, but they know they are the best because of how hard they work, and some believe they are the best without basis.

Someone like Pep is very arrogant but the guy is incredibly self critical. He at least holds himself to the standards he professes. Someone like Jose will rarely think he has done anything wrong.

Then I would say someone like Ancelotti is not outwardly arrogant at all, he rarely even talks about himself.
 

ajnotkeith

Senior Member
His tactics are generally on point, he just wants specific players to implement his vision,which all coaches want.

Going by now players he's requested have done, I think he knows what he's talking about.

So why would he listen to anyone else about tactics, no top coach really does that.

They have their vision and bring in staff to support it
Not that he can't have his own tactical vision. But every manager gets many things wrong. And the 'meta' of football is constantly changing especially at the top, what worked last season might not work this one and so on.

The best ones are constantly changing how they play to reflect that. I think Xavi initially built a good system but he didn't see that to take it to the top there had to be some adjustment, and then he convinced himself that the weakness of the squad was why they couldn't do it.
 

Porque

Senior Member
He probably put way to much pressure on his own shoulders being the Barca manager, knowing the entorno inside out and his own emotional attachment and fanboyism of the club.

It will be pressure, but a different pressure anywhere else.

At the least, a really want to see him have a shot somewhere else in Europe and make a success of it.
 

KingLeo10

Senior Member
Seems fairly right. Xavi is the GOAT CM. While he’s superior to ZZ day in, day out over the course of a season, ZZ had a different gravity in the WC final/ Euro final/ CL final (Xavi is of course legendary at these too).

Even Messi had big respect for Monseiur Black Magic himself when they did the Messi - ZZ WC interview.
 

KingLeo10

Senior Member
If I had to pick the most fearless players ever, Maradona and ZZ are top of the list.

Messi 2022 WC was also pure psychotic fearless with the way he took those huge penalties in game and shootouts.

Basically, you have to be psychotic to not feel pressure in a legacy defining WC final.
 

jamrock

Senior Member
The way he said No to KDB was funny, he was like who can I say yes to, zidane is close enough.

Can you imagine being Xavi and coaching our Midfield, as talented as they are, it must have been frustrating.

As good as lucho and pep were as players they were no busquets, Xavi or Iniestaz, so for them it must have been easier and a pleasure to coach those guys.

Like fuck, I tell them it once and they can immediately get it.
 
Last edited:

ajnotkeith

Senior Member
Basically, you have to be psychotic to not feel pressure in a legacy defining WC final.
It's out of the topic but it reminds me of Ivan Toney's penalty in the QF of Euro 2024. That guy is insane, taking a no look penalty in such a big moment.

One of the reasons I really wanted him here is because of his mentality, the guy is emotionless in front of the goal, I guess that's partly why he went to Saudi when he could have gone to any top club (he doesn't care about football!)

 

Temptation

Well-known member
Xavi was more consistent over a whole season but Zizou had more magic, ability and natural talent.

Zizou had that divine, "touched by the Football Gods" skill level which is impossible to ignore in the eye test.

He was unique and rare because he was a physical monster and a technical wizard at the same time.

Bro had that Roger Federer ballet dancer/poetry in motion grace about him. :lol:

The way some legends talk about him:

Xavi Hernandez : “Zidane is better than me”

Iniesta : “I’m better than Zidane? I don’t agree”

Pep Guardiola : “Zidane was my idol, best midfielder ever”

De bruyne : “Zidane is the greatest midfielder ever”

 

Home of Barca Fans

Top