The challenge facing Xavi Hernandez in La Liga

Barcelona get underway this Monday. Under the eye of Xavi Hernández, the Blaugrana face a season marked by challenges it has defined on a sporting level and by the uncertainty of the move to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys while the bulldozers, dump trucks and jackhammers rejuvenate and bring the Sportify Camp Nou up to date.

After winning La Liga last season, Xavi faces his second full season in charge of the team with a number of challenges. So far, the Terrassa-born coach has been meeting the minimum targets he had set. After arriving on the bench in November 2021, he ended the first campaign by qualifying the team for the Champions League and in his first full season in charge of Barcelona he raised the bar by winning La Liga, the priority objective, and the Spanish Super Cup. And for the campaign that officially kicks off on the second weekend in August, his main challenge will be to achieve what nine other illustrious Blaugrana coaches have already achieved in their day, winning two consecutive league titles, without forgetting that both the club and the fans want to compete again to win the Champions League. 

After winning the Spanish Super Cup and La Liga, Xavi will be looking to add to his short CV as a Blaugrana coach. His most immediate references in the regularity competition are Ernesto Valverde (2017/2018 and 2018/2019) and Luis Enrique Martínez (2014/2015 and 2015/2016), the last two who managed to clinch two titles in a row. Previously, Frank Rijkaard (2004/2005 and 2005/2006), Louis van Gaal (1997/1998 and 1998/1999), Helenio Herrera (1958/1959 and 1959/1960), Ferdinand Daucik (1951/1952 and 1952/1953) and Enrique Fernández (1947/1948 and 1948/1949) managed to do so. Ahead of them are Pep Guardiola, with three consecutive La Liga titles (2008/2009, 2009/2010 and 2010/2011), and Johan Cruyff, who has four in a row (1990/1991, 1991/1992, 1992/1993 and 1993/1994).

The paradox is that only five Real Madrid coaches have managed to string together two or more league titles in the 92 editions of the top flight played so far. And to find the last precedent we have to go back no less than 34 years, when the Dutchman Leo Beenhakker managed to win the league for the third time in a row (1986/1987, 1987/1988 and 1988/1989). Vujadin Boskov (1979/1980 and 1980/1981), Luis Molowny (1977/1978 and 1978/1979), Miljan Miljanic (1974/1975 and 1975/1976) and Miguel Munoz, who made it five (1960/1961, 1961/1962, 1962/1963, 1963/1964 and 1964/1965) and three titles in a row (1966/1967, 1967/1968 and 1968/1969), had preceded him.

At the same time, Xavi's other challenge will be to try to continue to close the gap on Real Madrid in the competition's overall trophy haul. Since the arrival of Johan Cruyff on the Camp Nou bench in 1988, the Blaugrana have won 17 titles compared to Madrid's 12.

In other words, Barça have won almost half of the last 35 editions of the competition, while in the 57 previous editions they were only able to lift the trophy ten times. This has allowed Barça to move to within eight titles of Real Madrid, who 35 years ago led the ranking with a comfortable lead of 13 La Liga titles. Los Blancos still lead the ranking with 35 La Liga titles, while Barça follow with 27. 

Coaches who have won two or more consecutive La Liga titles with Barcelona

Ernesto Valverde 2017-2018 and 2018-2019

Luis Enrique Martínez 2014-2015 and 2015-2016

Pep Guardiola 2008-2009, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011

Frank Rijkaard 2004-2005 and 2005-2006

Louis van Gaal 1997-1998 and 1998-1999

Johan Cruyff 1990-1991, 1991-1992, 1992-1993 and 1993-1994

Helenio Herrera 1958-1959 and 1959-1960

Ferdinand Daucik 1951-1952 and 1952-1953

Enrique Fernández 1947-1948 and 1948-1949

And with Real Madrid:

Leo Beenhakker 1986-1987, 1987-1988 and 1988-1989

Vujadin Boskov 1979-1980 and 1980-1981)

Luis Molowny 1977-1978 and 1978-1979

Miljan Miljanic 1974-1975 and 1975-1976

Miguel Muñoz 1966-1967, 1967-1968 and 1968-1969 and 1960-1961, 1961-1962, 1962-1963, 1963-1964 and 1964-1965