ARTICLE AD
A fresh report from The Athletic has shed some light on Xavi Hernandez and some of the key controversies that sealed his departure from Camp Nou.
The report notably revealed that the Barça were not completely happy with Xavi’s training regime at Barcelona, with the Spaniard not showing enough desire to ensure that the team remains in optimum physical condition.
Xavi wanted to sell Lewandowski
Following reports of player discontent with training intensity under Xavi Hernandez, another layer of friction has emerged.
As per The Athletic, it appears Xavi Hernandez had tried to offload Robert Lewandowski. H even requested the board to make an effort to try and sell the Polish international in the coming summer.
It was earlier reported that Lewandowski was one of the first players to raise an issue over Xavi’s training regime and the lack of intensity in training.
Lewandowski was not exactly happy with Xavi Hernandez (Photo by MANAURE QUINTERO/AFP via Getty Images)In January, Lewandowski even approached Xavi directly to express concerns about the perceived lack of intensity in training sessions.
Xavi’s solution, however, appears to have only exacerbated tensions. His decision to frequently substitute Lewandowski in six out of the last seven matches caused friction with the player, with management viewing Xavi’s actions as reckless.
Now, Xavi’s reported desire to sell Lewandowski serves as another indicator of the strained relationship between the player and the coach.
One can be forgiven for thinking that Lewandowski’s poor relationship with Xavi did not reflect well on the manager, in front of other stars. Ultimately, it was only a matter of time before Barcelona asked Xavi to leave the club.
Lewandowski, for his part, will be hoping for happier times ahead as he is all set to reunite with former Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick.
The two share an excellent relationship, which could go a long way in helping Lewandowksi play to his potential in the coming season.