TRIBUNA
Barcelona were soundly beaten by Girona on Sunday with Culers surprised to watch their team concede four goals against their smaller Catalan challengers. It’s why many have been calling on the club to sack Xavi.
Let’s discuss some reasons why that would be a stupid thing for the club to do.
Too early
Barcelona have played 21 of possibly 50+ games they could play this season. They’re seven points behind in the title race after losing two and drawing four of the 16 league games. It means Barca have 22 league games to change the narrative and retain their title.
In the Champions League Xavi has guided Barca into the round of the 16 with glory beckoning on the horizon.
What’s more, Barca haven’t even started their challenge for the Copa Del Rey and Super Copa which takes place in January.
It tells you there’s still how early it is into the season. Xavi’s men can still compete valiantly and win multiple trophies next year.
Xavi hasn’t done badly
Barcelona sacked Ronald Koeman months after Lionel Messi left the club. Without Leo Barca were on the brink of missing out on the Champions League with all title hopes dead in the water.
Xavi has come in and steadied the ship. Last season Barca won the league and Super Copa, their first titles since Messi left.
As for the Champions League, Xavi has guided Barca to the round of 16 for the first time in three years. It tells you there’s steady progress which is why Xavi sees his team as one under construction, not the finished article. To construct anything you need time.
Who replaces him?
That’s the trick question for everyone chanting ‘Xavi out.’ There aren’t many top coaches who are available to take over the Barca job right now.
Barca are grooming someone like Rafa Marquez to one day step up from Barca B into the big role but we all know he’s not ready yet.
Barcelona must think long and hard about who takes over from Xavi before pulling the trigger. As it stands there aren’t many options in front of Laporta, if any.
Barca can’t afford a new coach.
In September, Barca rubberstamped their blind faith in Xavi by extending his contract. The new deal should keep him at the club until 2025 with an option to extend it even further.
What it means is that Barca would be looking at a hefty pay-off to Xavi if they decide to sack him now. That would be a financial blow to Barca who simply can’t take any right now.
Besides paying off Xavi, Barca would need to find the money to hire a new coach on a new contract. Recall they paid around €5m to get Xavi in.
With Barca already walking a tightrope as regards Financial Fair Play, hiring a new coach is something they may not be able to afford right now.
Would you sack Xavi anyway?
