The legendary midfielder is expected to replace the outgoing Ronald Koeman as coach and will bring the 'Barcelona way' back to Camp Nou

Even before Xavi Hernandez finished playing for Barcelona, it was an unspoken secret that he would be back.

The Catalan spent 25 years at Barcelona and left at the age of 35, after winning the treble, in 2015, but it was an ‘hasta luego' rather than an 'adios'.

Luis Enrique, the coach at the time, lamented Xavi’s departure to Qatari side Al-Sadd, where the midfielder would see out his playing days. “There is no other Xavi. As a player, he’s practically unique,” said the Asturian.

As a coach? That’s not the case. Xavi comes from the same school as Pep Guardiola and Johan Cruyff, now poised to return to Camp Nou as a Barcelona legend who can whip the team into shape after lethargic, pale performances under Ronald Koeman.

As one of the club's most successful players, with 767 appearances to his name, he knows a thing or two about ‘the Barcelona way’. While he didn’t write the Blaugrana's style guide, he adores it.

He fitted it to perfection on the pitch, winning eight La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, plus the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships with Spain.

Under now Manchester City coach Guardiola, Xavi became one of the best midfielders in football history and he maintains the same style now he is on the touchline. Xavi has been managing Al-Sadd, winning the league with them in 2021, as well as two Qatar Cups, among other trophies.

His team craves the ball, just as he did as a player. “It’s clear to me my team has to control the ball; I suffer when I don’t have it,” he told The Coach’s Voice.

“When I was a player, and even more so now on the bench, I do everything possible to dominate the ball through possession. I’m obsessed with possession. Not just for the sake of having it but for attacking and creating chances.”