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Barcelona is the bad habitat that Xavi just can’t kick

Inspiration from Damien Duff’s wife; a heartfelt tribute to Jürgen Klopp; and pillow talk from John Terry

Barcelona manager Xavi has changed his mind about leaving the Nou Camp, but not about his reason for wanting to leave in the first place. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Wire

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Mary Hannigan
Mon Apr 29 2024 - 06:00

Four months in the life of Barcelona manager Xavi.

January: “It is a cruel and unpleasant job. It wears you down, it makes you feel worthless on a daily basis. You’re playing for your life all the time. In general I am not valued. And I have the feeling that whatever I do, I won’t be valued. Whatever I do, there is criticism. That’s why the feeling I had was that this is the right moment to leave. I feel a liberation with my decision. My advice to my successor would be to enjoy it, but it’s impossible.”

A fortnight ago: “Since making the decision public, there has been more calm around the club and from the media. It helps knowing there is an expiry date. I made the decision for the good of the club. If I hadn’t made it, it would have been a disaster. It was the right decision.”

Last week: “I love Barça and I always try to do what is in the club’s best interests. The support of the players and the fans has been important in deciding to reverse my decision. In January, I thought a change was needed, but I think this is the best decision now. I think it brings stability. But my opinion of the environment surrounding the club is that it will continue to be cruel and unpleasant.”

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A glutton for cruel and unpleasant punishment, that lad.

Word of Mouth

“A bit of tough love, harsh words earlier on in the week. I probably wasn’t even speaking to them, they weren’t speaking to me. It’s what my wife does to me when I’m in trouble and she gets a better husband at the end of it.” Damien Duff on giving his players both barrels after a run of poor results. It worked. He got a better result at the end of it, a 1-0 win over St Pat’s.

Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho reflects on a missed chance. Might Graeme Souness have found the explanation? Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

“Garnacho is an exceptionally talented young man. But I worry. Call me old fashioned, call me a dinosaur – but he’s got two earrings in the warm-up on the pitch.” Graeme Souness launching a war on bling.

“If you look at him on the pitch, he could be 80 years old and still be the best player in the MLS.” While saluting Lionel Messi, former Italian international Giuseppe Rossi questions the quality of the MLS a tad.

The hairdryer treatment

It’s nearly 20 years since Wayne Rooney’s autobiography My Story So Far was published.,Perhaps his most startling revelation was that he needed a vacuum cleaner switched on all night in his bedroom to help him sleep. And if there wasn’t one handy, he’d use his wife Coleen’s hairdryer instead. “I’ve ruined so many hairdryers by letting them burn out. Coleen hates it – she won’t let me turn on a vacuum cleaner or a fan, not when we’re together.”

Wayne Rooney is known to be an interesting thinker when it comes to football, but his idea of a lullaby is questionable. Photograph: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Two decades on, you’d like to think he’s snapped out of this habit and finds it a little easier to nod off. Hold it. Last week, speaking to the Girth N Turf lads: “If I’m in bed on my own, I sleep with the hairdryer on the whole night. I have it on cold. It’s in the bed right next to me blowing on my head. I’ve got two fans next to my bed as well.” That’s 20 years of burnt-out hairdryers.

More Word of Mouth

“Will Arteta start getting grey hairs? You can’t get grey hairs if you dye your hair every day. Your hair can’t be that black at that age.” Dwight Yorke with a scurrilous allegation against Mikel and his barnet.

“Mourinho face-timed me the other night. I’m there, fluffing up the pillows. And my wife said to me ‘what are you doing?’ I said to her ‘the gaffer is calling me!’, and I’m s****ing myself. Still to this day, he makes me so nervous.” Either John Terry goes to bed very early, or Jose rings people in the middle of the night.

Jürgen Klopp, no doubt touched by David Moyes's tribute to him. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

“I’ll be glad he’s gone. ****ing too big, teeth are too bright. He’s been immense for Liverpool. He’s the daddy there and has been able to control a big football club. Hurry up and get away Jürgen!” After breaking Klopp’s heart with that 2-2 draw, David Moyes at least paid, well, a unique tribute to him.

[ Ugly sideline row with Mohamed Salah shows Jürgen Klopp’s power has waned ]

By the Numbers: 46

After coming from 2-0 down against Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten run, in all competitions – they’re three games away from completing the first unbeaten campaign in Bundesliga history.

Quote

“He’s just transformed the club from a place when they had people like me playing for them – that’s how bad it was.” Peter Crouch doffs his cap to Klopp, as only Peter Crouch can.

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