By Alex Molina / info@eurohoops.net
FC Barcelona is looking to its past to shape its future. Nine years after his departure, Xavi Pascual is back on the bench, tasked with restoring a basketball program that has endured seasons of inconsistency, a shortage of titles, and financial limitations. His return marks one of the most anticipated comebacks in club history, reigniting excitement among fans who now see their most beloved coach ready to lead the team once again.
Before dedicating himself fully to coaching, Pascual was an industrial engineer — a background that shaped his analytical and methodical approach to the game. He joined Barça in the 2004–05 season, quickly rising through the ranks: first in the youth system, then as Dusko Ivanovic’s assistant, and finally, in February 2008, as head coach of the first team.
What followed was one of the most successful eras in Barça basketball history. Over eight seasons, Pascual captured 19 titles, including the 2010 EuroLeague, multiple Spanish League championships, Copa del Rey trophies, Supercups, and a string of Catalan League crowns.
His departure in 2016 came amid internal tensions and public debate, leading him to new challenges abroad. At Panathinaikos Athens (2016–18), Pascual won domestic leagues and a cup, restoring the club’s competitive edge. Later, at Zenit Saint Petersburg, he cemented his reputation as one of the EuroLeague’s most respected modern coaches, claiming the VTB United League, domestic cups, and earning coach of the year honors.
Now, Pascual returns to Barça on a contract through 2028. The club is entrusting its future to a coach who embodies method, identity, and competitive rigor. As he steps back into the Palau Blaugrana, let’s revisit five defining moments from his first era at the helm
1. The 2008-09 ACB League: The first major triumph
2. 2010 Copa del Rey: Dominating Real Madrid
Pascual’s first Copa del Rey crown came in emphatic fashion. After close wins over Cajasol (77–72) and Valencia (72–64), Barça crushed Real Madrid 80–61 in the final at Bizkaia Arena, with Fran Vázquez earning MVP honors.
3. 2010 Euroleague: “We’ll always have Paris”
A few months later, Pascual achieved his greatest triumph: leading Barça to its second EuroLeague title with a masterclass in defense and balance. The victory over Olympiacos in Paris made Pascual one of the youngest coaches ever to win the competition.
4. 2010-11 Domestic treble: Total dominance
The 2010–11 season was a showcase of Pascual’s tactical brilliance. Barça swept the Spanish competitions — ACB League, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa — while narrowly missing the EuroLeague Final Four in Barcelona after an epic playoff series against Panathinaikos.
5. 2013-14 ACB League: Against all odds
In 2014, Pascual delivered one of the most remarkable domestic titles of the modern era. Despite lacking home-court advantage in two playoff rounds, Barça stormed past Baskonia (2–0), Valencia (2–3), and Real Madrid (1–3), with Maciej Lampe hitting the biggest shot of his career in the finals.