Leading the 50th Match in El Clasico, Xavi Makes the Worst Record

Xavi (Twitter.com/@FCBarcelona)

JAKARTA - Xavi's competence and skills are unquestionable, but his record puts him in a difficult position.

The Terrassa-born coach has the worst record of seven other Barcelona coaches who have remained in charge of the club for 50 games.

The deciding factor that helps explain this difficult situation is that he is the only coach who doesn't have Lionel Messi in his every game.

Against Real Madrid, Xavi led his 50th game (37 last season and 13 this season) on the bench in all competitions. However, the defeat against Carlo Ancelotti's side, the Catalan's first in La Liga this season, means he has the worst record of the last seven coaches to reach that number of games with the club.

The former midfielder has a record of 28 wins, 11 draws and 11 defeats. Frank Rijkaard's record is very similar, but slightly better as the Dutchman started his time with the same number of wins but bagged one draw and one defeat less.

Luis Enrique, on the other hand, is the coach who has had the most promising start on the bench: 42 wins, three draws and five clean sheets.

The other five coaches are Pep Guardiola, Tata Martino, Tito Vilanova, Ernesto Valverde and Ronald Koeman. In their first 50 games, the City boss and Argentine coach had 37 wins, eight draws and five defeats.

Meanwhile, Vilanova started his time in the dugout with 36 wins, eight draws and six defeats. The current Athletic Club coach, meanwhile, has the same number of wins, but has drawn 11 and lost three.

Xavi's predecessor, Koeman, won 33 of his first 50 games, taking one point from seven and losing 10.

One circumstance that helps to understand Xavi's record is that he is the only coach who doesn't count on Leo Messi in any match.

Joan Laporta has strengthened his team, this summer he has spent 158 ​​million euros on players, but he has not enjoyed the goals or the overall quality of the Argentine star, who now plays for PSG.