Barca presidential hopeful hoping Xavi can be the club’s Sir Alex Ferguson

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 5 min read

Barcelona presidential hopeful Victor Font hopes that Xavi’s return to Camp Nou can have the same impact on the club as Sir Alex Ferguson’s arrival at Man Utd.

Prior to Ferguson going to Old Trafford in 1986, Man Utd had not won the top-flight for 26 years.

He would go on to oversee the most successful period in the club’s history, winning 38 trophies including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues.

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Although Barcelona are currently not in a similar dry spell in terms of trophy wins, things haven’t been right on and off the pitch for a while.

They were eliminated from the Champions League last season after an embarrassing 8-2 defeat by Bayern, while president Josep Maria Bartomeu recently resigned after club members finally took a stand at how the club was being run at boardroom level.

Lionel Messi even asked to leave the club in the summer, only to agree under duress to stay for at least another year. Barca are hopeful that Xavi can play a key factor in convincing him to remain at the Camp Nou.

Xavi was part of the Barca side who dominated domestically and in Europe. He is also a product of the club’s La Masia academy and embodies the ideals of the side.

He has been mentioned as a potential future head coach or director. Font hopes his return can spark a revival.

“We decided some years ago the best person to help us build our organisation is Xavi,” Font told Reuters.

“Ideally we can have Xavi as a general manager for many years like Alex Ferguson was at Manchester United. But if he needs to play a different role, he can be flexible. Few people have the leadership qualities he has.”

Xavi’s Honours:

Competition	Wins with Barcelona
La Liga	8
Champions League	4
Copa del Rey	3
Supercopa de Espana	6
UEFA Super Cup	2
Club World Cup	2

As for current head coach Ronald Koeman, who is not enjoying a good start to life as Barca boss, the return of Xavi would not necessarily mean a departure for the Dutchman.

“That’s a decision the sporting directors will have to make, but we’re thankful to Ronald for taking on this challenge at a difficult time,” Font said when asked if Xavi will actually come in to replace Koeman.

“We’re happy to see him making bold decisions and empowering the young players who have potential,” he said.

“Xavi has a very long term perspective. He’s only 40, he was telling me the other day his professional career as a coach has many years ahead of him. So there will be no tension or conflict.”

The Blaugrana have won just three out of their opening seven matches in the 2020/21 La Liga season, and are currently down in eighth in the table.