When a Coach Leaves, a Striker Finds His Spark: How Xavi’s Exit Rescued Lewandowski at Barcelona

Key turning points in Lewandowski's Barcelona revival

Polish journalist Sebastian Staszewski, author of Lewandowski's biography, unveils fresh details about the Polish striker’s time at Barcelona.

The book notes that Barcelona president Joan Laporta told him that Xavi Hernandez’s exit as manager became a turning point that saved Lewandowski and gave him a renewed sense of purpose in the locker room.

The account, cited in AS, claims Laporta admitted that Xavi's departure was the key to reviving the striker and restoring his self‑belief in a squad visibly worn down on and off the pitch.

Staszewski adds that Xavi was the first to persuade Lewandowski to join Barça in 2022, with the Pole reportedly saying at the time, “Yes, this is the coach I want to work with.”

That initial season delivered a domestic title and the Pichichi trophy for Lewandowski, before internal frictions began to corrode the atmosphere within the dressing room and the squad’s consistency waned.

The narrative then shifts to what the author sees as the real hinge: the arrival of a new mentor and a new tactical clarity that would reshape the club’s trajectory.

In short, the book presents Lewandowski’s early Barça challenge as a test of resilience, with the season’s highs masking growing tensions behind the scenes.

The Flick era and the sense of a second life for Lewandowski

The turning point, according to Staszewski, arrived with the appointment of German coach Hans Flick, who provided Lewandowski with a “second life”—reigniting his motivation, confidence, and sense of importance within the project. The improved atmosphere in the locker room was as much about leadership as it was about tactics.

The biographer describes Lewandowski as a relentless scorer who benefited from Flick’s clear system and from the renewed belief that he remained central to Barça’s ambitions, a relationship that drew strength from the striker’s prior success with Bayern Munich.

Describing Lewandowski as a “goals machine,” the text credits Flick with aligning the striker’s goals with the team’s reenergized plans and notes how that synergy helped restore Lewandowski’s self‑belief after a difficult spell.

Gavi’s rise and Barça’s revived team spirit

The book also highlights the impact of young talents like Gavi, who helped revive Lewandowski on a personal and professional level. Staszewski argues that Gavi embodies Barça’s spirit—passion, sacrifice, competitive drive, and unconditional love for the club.

Gavi’s presence injected energy into the squad, encouraging teammates to push harder and fostering a more positive, collective mindset around the veteran striker.

Concluding, the biographer asserts that Flick’s tenure restored cohesion and character to the team; if any coach can push Lewandowski back to the top of the league scoring charts, it’s Flick.

Xavi’s enduring Barça journey and the road ahead

The article then revisits Xavi’s own legacy: a Barça icon who rose through La Masia, became a central architect of the club’s identity, and later returned as coach to shepherd a new generation.

From his debut with the first team in 1998-1999 under Louis van Gaal, through the golden era under Frank Rijkaard, and the peak under Pep Guardiola’s one‑ticked system, Xavi’s influence has been foundational to Barça’s philosophy.

His era is defined by the 2009 sextuple, the Champions League triumphs in 2006, 2009, and 2011, eight La Liga titles, and a record of 767 appearances before ending his playing career in 2015 and later pursuing coaching in Qatar.

When he returned as coach in November 2021, Barça faced both sporting and financial crises, yet he set out to rebuild with a blend of youth (Gavi, Nico, Balde) and seasoned talents, aiming to restore the club’s identity.

In his second season, Xavi steered Barça to the 2022-2023 La Liga title and the Spanish Super Cup, reviving some of Barça’s former prestige, before injuries and fluctuating European form presented ongoing challenges in his third season and eventually led to his departure.