Barcelona’s dressing room had NO RULES when Xavi arrived
REVEALED: The Barcelona dressing room had NO RULES when Xavi arrived – before imposing a series of fines for arriving late and allowing players to enter early to take control of their diets
- Xavi was shocked by the lack of discipline when he returned as a coach in 2021
- The successful Barca sides he played in were kept in order by strict rules
- Coach proceeded to reinstate tardiness fines and allow players to eat as a group
The Barcelona dressing room ‘had no rules’ as Xavi returned to coach the Nou Camp legend, appalled by the lack of discipline within the squad he inherited.
The former Barca midfielder has transformed their fortunes and they concluded their first LaLiga title since 2019 on Sunday night with a 4-2 victory over local rivals Espanyol.
Xavi, 43, was appointed manager in November 2021 and asked his former teammate and close friend Sergio Busquets to give him an assessment of the dressing room rules already in place.
When the former Spain international had played in successful Barcelona sides, a code of strict rules dictated how the players behaved.
But according to The athletic, Busquets told him there were no rules. They had slowly eroded in the six years Xavi had been gone.
Xavi wasted little time restoring discipline at Barcelona and is reaping the rewards
The club won LaLiga for the first time since 2019 on Sunday with a 4-2 victory over Espanyol.
Stunned by the lack of order, Xavi reinstated late player fines and toughened them on repeat offenders.
The coach also required all players to be on the training ground 90 minutes before the start of the session so that they could all eat together.
Xavi believed that if the team ate breakfast and lunch together at the club, the nutritionists would be able to better control their diet.
The increased discipline behind the scenes has paid off: Barca dominated this season’s battle for the league title with Real Madrid.
They are 14 points ahead of their big rivals with four games of the season left to play.
Sunday night’s victory over Espanyol secured the club’s 27th league title, with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice and Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde also on target.
But as the players celebrated around the center circle at the final whistle, they were chased off the field by angry Espanyol supporters.
Some ultras made their way into the tunnel and were confronted by Barca players including Busquets and Marcos Alonso, while others turned their attention to protesting the board as Espanyol were close to relegation.
Xavi restored some of Barcelona’s old standards by changing the culture on the training ground
Robert Lewandowski scored a series of goals in the first half to give his side victory
Alejandro Balde (front) got the away side’s second goal on Sunday as they beat Espanyol
The Barcelona players surrounded the center circle after the match and joined hands in celebration
No players were injured, but the hasty exit from the pitch was a shock and put a damper on title celebrations.
“It’s normal to celebrate, but I understand that we’re not at home and we can’t be disrespectful,” Xavi said after the game.
He added of the title win: ‘It’s a great feeling. It’s a job well done. This started in July and after months of work and sacrifice we have reached our goal. The fans and the club deserve it, it gives us stability and certainty that things are going well.
“We sealed LaLiga with a fantastic performance. We were brilliant tonight. The team relaxed at the end and Espanyol showed pride.’
Espanyol’s Ultras stormed the pitch on Sunday evening to confront the Barcelona players
Some ultras reached the tunnel and were confronted by a group of Barcelona players
