Xavi makes worst start by a Barcelona manager for 34 years
Robin Bairner
- 10 Dec 2021 10:43 CST
- 3 min read
Xavi’s return to Barcelona has been hailed as a turning point for the club, but the legend’s Camp Nou comeback has started slowly. So slowly, in fact, that he has made the worst start for a coach at the club in 34 years.
It is a statistic that simply highlights the enormous task that Xavi has on his hands to turn things around.
From the five games that he has overseen, he has achieved two victories, a draw and has suffered two defeats.
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Xavi's difficult start
First 5 games of Barca coaches
| W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xavi (2021-?) | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Ronald Koeman (2020-21) | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Quique Setien (2020) | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Ernesto Valverde (2017-20) | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Luis Enrique (2014-17) | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Tata Martino (2013-14) | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Tito Vilanova (2012-13) | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Pep Guardiola (2008-12)* | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Frank Rijkaard (2003-08) | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Radomir Antic (2003) | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Louis van Gaal (2002-03) | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Carles Rexach (2001-02) | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Lorenzo Serra Ferrer (2000-01) | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Louis van Gaal (1997-2000) | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Bobby Robson (1996-97) | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Johan Cruyff (1991-96) | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Luis Aragones (1987-88) | 2 | 0 | 3 |
* Guardiola's GD +4, Xavi's GD -1
A derby success over Espanyol was a positive manner to get his career in the dugout underway, even if it was achieved via a disputed penalty, while there was also an impressive 3-1 win over Villarreal, but Barca have otherwise disappointed so far under the 41-year-old.
The scoreless home draw in Benfica was a hammer blow to their Champions League hopes while a 1-0 home loss to Real Betis has left Xavi & Co. with an uphill task in terms of finishing in the top four.
Few would point the finger at the coach after a 3-0 Champions League loss against a fine Bayern Munich side earlier this week, though.
Nevertheless, all this means he has the worst start to any Barca coach in a generation.
Barcelona fans should take heart, though. Since Luis Aragones lost three of his first five matches in charge of the club, the head coach with the worst record in his opening five games is none other than Pep Guardiola.
After this rocky start, Guardiola built a dynasty that would last the best part of a decade, in which Barcelona were one of the foremost teams in Europe.
All that has come crashing down around them in recent seasons due to financial mismanagement, leaving Xavi with a squad that does not befit the club.
Certainly, there is an argument that Xavi is coming into the job at the hardest time over this long period and no doubt fans will be patient with him as tries to turn the side around.
Barcelona’s poor start, then, is a reflection of their dire state as much as Xavi’s ability, but his record to date shows that there will be no instant cure at Camp Nou.
