Did Barcelona make the right decision by convincing Xavi to stay?

The maxim says the devil you know is better than an unknown angel. But in the case of Xavi Hernández and Barcelona, was it the best of decisions after a trophyless season?

Following a relatively decent stint in his first managerial role at Al-Sadd in Saudi Arabia—where he won seven trophies with a 68.5 win percentage in about 97 games, Xavi joined Barcelona on a three-year contract in November 2021.

Official and confirmed. Barcelona announce Xavi Hernández as new manager. He’ll be in Catalunya in the next hours. 🔵🔴🤝 #FCB

Xavi will be presented as new Barça head coach on Monday. pic.twitter.com/3fL7cWbdlr

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 6, 2021

The 44-year-old took over a discombobulated squad from Ronald Koeman. The Dutch had the side languishing in the ninth position in the league, amidst huge financial problems during the post-Lionel Messi era.

Xavi, however, eventually managed to guide Barça to a second-place finish, 13 points behind the league winners, Real Madrid. Impressive as that was, it was his achievements in the following season—his first full one—that were astonishing.

In his first full season, Xavi won the La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, capping it with 64 wins, 17 draws, and 19 losses in his opening 100 games.

LA LIGA CHAMP🏆ONS! pic.twitter.com/enrozFf9gs

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 14, 2023

With a better tally than Johan Cruyff’s 60 wins, 23 draws, and 17 losses, the midfield maestro was widely compared to his ex-teammate Pep Guardiola, who garnered 71 victories, 19 draws, and 10 losses in his first 100 matches in charge of the Blaugrana.

If there were any questions as to his abilities, winning the club’s first league title in four years did a lot of quelling, so his contract extension until June 30, 2025, met little to no resistance.

“I am happy at Barça, the project is continuing,” was Xavi’s reaction to his contract extension.

However, a few months later, Xavi seems out of touch with the skills that made him so impressive a season ago and is struggling to get a leash on his seemingly disjointed squad.

Following a shocking 5-3 home loss to Villarreal in January, Xavi revealed his decision to leave the club at the end of the season.

He said, “Right now, if I think with my head and think about the club, the solution and the best thing is for me to leave in June; that is how I feel.

“In Barcelona, you always feel like you’re not valued; you’re mistreated—that’s how the club works. From a mental health level, it’s tough too.

“I’m a positive guy, but the battery levels keep running out, and at some point, you realise there’s no point in staying.”

While that was quite the bombshell, many thought moving on from him was the best way forward for both parties.

It couldn’t have come at a better time, seeing as he gave the club’s management about four months heads up to execute a comprehensive search for his successor like Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp did.

[🟢] 𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂: Liverpool and Feyenoord have agreed a compensation package that will allow Arne Slot to become Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Anfield.

[@TheAthleticFC] pic.twitter.com/41ZU1NEEqq

— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) April 26, 2024

Unlike the Premier League side, which respected the decision of Klopp—one of the best modern-era gaffers—Barça’s management invested their efforts to convince their manager to remain at the club despite his “battery running low.”

For some time, it seemed unlikely that Xavi would change his mind about leaving Barcelona. After all, he told reporters, “Nothing is changing about my decision,” following a ten-match unbeaten streak post-departure declaration.

It eventually happened, though. After a closed-door meeting with President Joan Laporta on April 24, Xavi decided against leaving Barça to continue an “unfinished” project.

Xavi’s U-turn divided the fans, as many were already looking forward to life after his departure. They thought he could’ve done better to prevent their UEFA Champions League hopes from being dashed by an avoidable 4-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on April 16—having won the first leg 3-2 in Paris a week earlier

It became more embarrassing when Jude Bellingham scored a late goal on April 21 to seal Madrid’s back-to-back El Clasico victory over the Catalans.

At that point, there wasn’t stopping Carlo Ancelotti’s side from winning the league, but it could have been prolonged if Xavi’s Barça showed any character against Girona last weekend.

Instead, the Blaugrana were defeated 4-2 by the Blanquivermells to pave the way for Los Blancos to be crowned La Liga champions somewhat prematurely. Not to forget that Girona equally defeated Barça 4-2 on their home turf in the first La Liga fixture of the season.

It’s a difficult pill to swallow for Barcelona faithful, but it becomes excruciating with the fact that the end isn’t in sight.

No, this is above Xavi. As strong as Madrid are now, they’re poised to be even stronger in the summer with the additions of Kylian Mbappe, Endrick, and other stars heading to the Santiago Bernabéu to complement Ancelotti’s flourishing squad.

Who will Xavi be signing in the summer?

No marquee signing from all indications. Not that if Barca makes the call, players won’t come, but the financial shortage has crippled the wings of the Catalonians to soar like other elite club in Europe.

Barça’s financial constraints are still very much present, so odds are: that they can’t do enough transfer business to compete with Madrid in the league, and the likes of Manchester City, and Bayern Munich in the CL.

Perhaps, for the club’s management, convincing Xavi to stay was the best decision, seeing they have to focus on harnessing the young talents in the squad, as they work towards favourable conditions.

This will, however, be at the expense of fans who for the first time in the post-Messi era, had a moment of reprieve in Xavi’s first full season.