At Barcelona, Flick Brings Discipline and Training. Xavi Turned to Black Magic and Shamans

The former Barca manager was suspected of strange rituals.

Xavi himself described his time as Barcelona’s head coach as a rollercoaster. It couldn’t have been put better — by the end, we’d almost forgotten about the actual game results.

Once, Xavi reportedly locked the coaching and administrative staff in a room at the training base. According to Spanish media, he made everyone put their phones on the table and open their messaging apps, searching for incriminating conversations with journalists. Some reports said he held his colleagues there for hours, diligently reviewing every chat, including personal ones.

Xavi didn’t find the "rat," but it damaged his relationships with those around him. He also isolated players from his assistants. Although no one openly questioned him, people began to suspect something was off. This drama unfolded as early as February, just a month after Xavi had decided to leave the club.

In late April, however, Xavi, club president Joan Laporta, and sporting director Deco changed course and held a ceremonial press conference to announce the continuation of their partnership — though there was no formal contract renewal. Nor was there an official announcement about parting ways at the end of the season.

But by May, they parted for good. The bosses didn’t forgive him for criticizing the club’s financial policies. Xavi was reportedly downcast upon learning Barca was already looking for his replacement. It was less of a rollercoaster and more of a turbulent romance — distrust, jealousy, fiery arguments, passionate reconciliations, and wandering glances; as modern psychologists might say, it was an “abusive” relationship.

And what’s a story like this without a love spell? It’s been half a year since Xavi and Barca split. Still, Spanish journalist Salvador Sostres recently revealed in his ABC column that Xavi had brought a shaman to the team’s locker room — a real sorcerer, to “ward off evil, banish demons, and purge bad spirits at Camp Nou, restoring Barca’s winning DNA.”

When the stadium was empty, Xavi performed these rituals with the shaman, but word got out. According to Sostres, security guards informed Laporta about the eccentricities. However, he chose not to escalate the situation, admitting it was “nonsense.” The shaman, it seems, wasn’t very effective.

Recently, there were rumors linking Xavi to Manchester United. However, he declined, or the Red Devils opted for Ruben Amorim. And that may be for the best — if the reports are accurate, a break could do Xavi some good.

Published by Patrick Jane
31.10.2024