Lowering standards saw Xavi lose Barcelona changing room – Soccer News

Xavi admitted that a lowering of standards during his time at Barcelona is what led to the decline in the team’s performance before his exit in 2024.

The former midfielder replaced Ronald Koeman in November 2021, immediately implementing stricter rules to turn Barcelona’s fortunes around.

In his first full season in charge, Xavi led Barca to the LaLiga title, their first in four years, and also beat Real Madrid to win the Supercopa de Espana.

However, in May 2024, Xavi was dismissed as the Blaugrana’s head coach despite a second-place finish in LaLiga.

“I began my coaching career at Barca with high expectations for both the players and the club,” he said at a leadership conference in Madrid.

“The club was coming from a period where there weren’t many demands, but my mistake was maintaining those high standards for only one year, from when I arrived until we won LaLiga and the Supercopa.”