FC Barcelona announced Thursday that Xavi Pascual will return as head coach of the basketball team, signing a contract through June 2028. The 53-year-old joins the squad on November 17, following interim leadership under Oscar Orellana after Joan Peñarroya’s departure earlier this month.
Pascual previously led Barcelona from 2008 to 2016, winning 19 titles, including a EuroLeague championship in 2009-10 and four ACB league titles. His first tenure included nine consecutive league finals and five EuroLeague Final Four appearances, establishing him as one of the most successful coaches in club history.
The Catalan coach has spent the past nine years leading European teams, including Panathinaikos and Zenit Saint Petersburg, securing multiple domestic championships and cups. His return is viewed as a stabilizing move amid inconsistent performances in the 2025-26 season.
Barcelona currently sits eighth in the EuroLeague with a 6-4 record, holding a negative point differential of -6, while domestic ACB results have been disappointing, leaving the team 11th with a 2-4 record. The team has struggled to find consistency both at home and on the road.
Pascual will be joined by assistant coach Inigo Zorzano, resuming the coaching structure that proved successful during his first tenure. Club president Joan Laporta and sports director Josep Cubells were directly involved in negotiating Pascual’s return, emphasizing continuity and leadership stability.
Key players like Will Clyburn and Tornike Shengelia have carried much of the team’s scoring load, averaging 14.2 and 13.5 points per game respectively in EuroLeague play. Kevin Punter and Tomas Satoransky have also contributed solid production, but overall team balance has been a challenge this season.
