Xavi vs Xabi

BarcaLearning wrote:Just watching Xabi's Lever beat Bayern very convincingly, actually humiliating them pretty much which I dont remember seeing Bayern like this ever (might be Tuchels effect also lol), but as everyone knows by now, Xabi is legit n surely will continue to another top club next season? The future looks bright for him.

On the other hand, Xavi has resigned n 'failed' at Barca, while doing very well last season to win the league, havent impressed apart from that, n having Barca regressed this season. I might be biased obviously, but I do think Xavi have had it hard managing Barca in a bad time not having done that badly n will see how he does going forward.

I just so vividly remember back in their playing days, I always thought Xavi were much better than Xabi as a player, as it was Barca > Real back then, n also for Spain Xavi ran the games n Xabi was just his assistant kind of So never would imagine the contrast today.

Of cos its still early days in both their managerial careers, will be interesting to see, but what do u think?

As players you are trying to compare apples and oranges. They were completely different styles. For sure Xavi was considered the better midfielder, as was Iniesta. Xabi was known for his ability to thread the needle in making key passes and Xavi more of a quarterback. However Xabi was in command of team, almost like an on field assistant coach directing play. It is with this latter trait that Xabi was predicted to be the better coach in that coaching class. That class had Xabi, Xavi, Raul, Guti, Arbeloa and 2 or 3 others that were on seleccion.

Xavi has made two critical mistakes in his coaching career. The first being not getting the necessary experience prior to coaching a big team. Coaching is something that you need experience before attempting to coach a big team. Even Zidane and Guardiola had better prior experiences with the #2 teams in RMad and Barca than Xavi with his Saudi grooming.

And his second mistake was trying to impose a set style of play on team, rather than, as Capello pointed out in recent Marca interview, adapting to players capability.

As EG pointed out, top players seldom make it as a great coach.

Yes he was a B2B, with amazing passing skill with a command presence directing the other players on where to go or where to pass. The issue with RMad and on seleccion was, coaches trying to direct him to be a DM.

Btw, Bellingham, despite his young age, is also directing, on field on where pass should go.

Xabi was never a backup on seleccion. It was Iniesta, Xavi, Xabi and Busquets with mostly Torres and Villa up front.

Arquitecto wrote:David Villa isn't the greatest Spanish player ever but for La Roja he is easily our best ever. I cannot stress how good and clutch this man was in big moments and games. Miss him.

It must hurt Arq to know he is Asturiano!

Thanks for the love of us Asturianos!

Yes in Spain, you have to take a course or class to get a coaching license. The one I was referring to was about 5 years ago and was mostly filled with notable ex seleccion players. There were somewhere between 15 and 20 in that class.