The Challenge of Being a Manager: Klopp, Xavi, and the Complicated Relationship | Written by Jonathan Wilson

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Jurgen Klopp departing from Liverpool. Xavi departing from Barcelona. Thomas Tuchel potentially facing pressure at Bayern Munich. Reports in Spain are circulating about Mikel Arteta considering his future at Arsenal. Sometimes years go by without much happening, but this summer could see a whirlwind of managerial changes with Roberto De Zerbi, Thiago Motta, Unai Emery, Hansi Flick, and Ruben Amorim all being potential candidates.

Klopp and Xavi have varying circumstances, despite both achieving one league title. Klopp will have spent nearly nine years in his position before departing, during which he has elevated Liverpool to one of the top teams in Europe. This single title may not accurately represent his accomplishments, as it does not consider the strong competition he has faced, particularly against Manchester City led by Pep Guardiola. Despite having less financial support, he has consistently remained competitive, earning him a spot among the top three greatest managers in the club’s history.

Xavi will have been with Barcelona for just three years. It would be unfair to solely attribute his one league title to being the manager of one of Spain’s top two teams during a weaker year for the other, and he should be recognized for building a team amidst the turmoil and challenges of the previous season. However, he will not be considered one of Barcelona’s all-time greats.

However, both cases demonstrate the impact the job can have, particularly for managers who have grown to love their respective clubs. When announcing his decision, Xavi acknowledged that being the Barcelona coach can be a difficult and brutal experience. Guardiola also experienced this in his fourth season at Barcelona, with the never-ending pressure, constant scrutiny, and the constant need to stay on top of everything eventually taking its toll.

However, it is considered a form of addiction. It is not solely for monetary reasons that numerous managers struggle to step back and allow the game to continue without their involvement. This explains why Roy Hodgson, at the age of 76, is still managing in the Premier League, why Dean Smith eagerly accepted the Norwich job shortly after being fired from Aston Villa, and why Bill Shankly ultimately regretted leaving Anfield in 1974.

It is unlikely that Klopp will be forgotten during his year off and he will still be in demand regardless of how long he takes a break from the game. However, if Germany performs poorly in the Euros this summer and Nagelsmann leaves, it is possible that Klopp may receive a call from the DFB in July.

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The situation involving Xavi is unique. The success of Klopp has made him a top candidate for any club, but the former midfielder may face more challenges. A possible impressive victory against Napoli in the Champions League round of 16 next month could improve his standing, but his track record in European competitions is lacking and he often appears shocked when opponents defend against his Barça team. He seems to have the belief that his team should always play in a certain way. This attitude suggests a larger doubt: that he may be a coach who simply follows the principles of Guardiola without truly grasping how to implement or modify them.

The Barcelona football club has a history of unique hiring practices, valuing philosophy over accomplishments. This was evident when they appointed Frank Rijkaard in 2003, despite his lack of success with his previous team and his involvement in a lingerie company and potential offer from the Netherlands Antilles. They also gave opportunities to inexperienced managers such as Guardiola and Xavi, both products of the renowned La Masia academy. While there is no evidence, there is speculation that current Arsenal manager Arteta could be a potential candidate due to his ties to Barcelona and training under Guardiola. However, it raises the question as to why Arteta would want to leave Arsenal, a team on the rise, for a club in financial turmoil and with a flawed roster.

Xabi Alonso is currently a top candidate for Liverpool, as his success with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga has not gone unnoticed. Despite only being in his second season as a senior coach, he has previous experience with Real Madrid’s youth team and Real Sociedad’s reserves. There is a possibility that Alonso may take an interim role with Bayern if current coach Tuchel leaves at the end of the season, especially if they do not win the league. While his past with Real Madrid may be a concern for Barcelona, the allure of a return to Liverpool would be hard to resist.

The issue is that love often brings added stress.

Source: theguardian.com