Xavi Pascual leaves Barcelona early to join Dubai in unexpected move

Xavi Pascual has brought his second spell as Barcelona coach to an early end after activating a release clause in his contract to join Dubai on a deal running until 2029.

The Spanish coach was still tied to Barcelona until 2028, but paid about 400,000 euros to leave the Catalan club following a disappointing season. Dubai general manager Dejan Kamenjasevic confirmed that Pascual chose to take up a new challenge in the United Arab Emirates, despite having two years remaining on his existing agreement.

Pascual’s departure comes after Barcelona completed a third successive season without winning a trophy. The club’s campaign ended with defeat by Valencia in the Spanish league final, while they were also eliminated by Baskonia in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.

Barcelona failed to reach the knockout stages of the EuroLeague, adding to the frustration surrounding Pascual’s final campaign after he signed a new contract with the club in November.

Kamenjasevic said Pascual had voluntarily given up the remainder of his Barcelona contract in order to take charge of Dubai. He added that the terms of the coach’s new agreement were very similar to those of his previous deal, arguing that financial gain was not the reason for the move.

“He left Barcelona despite having a two-year contract, gave it up to sign a new contract that is very similar to the one he had at Barcelona, so it is certain that he did not come for the money,” Kamenjasevic said.

Pascual’s decision marks the end of a second period in charge of Barcelona. During his earlier spell, he guided the club to the EuroLeague title in 2010.

He will now begin a fresh assignment with Dubai, whose ambition is to build a team capable of competing strongly at continental level. The club’s plans persuaded Pascual to leave Barcelona earlier than expected, even though his contract with the Catalan side had been due to run for another two seasons.

The move also brings an abrupt conclusion to a tenure that had begun only recently. Despite his previous success with Barcelona, Pascual was unable to deliver a trophy in his latest campaign, with the Copa del Rey semi-final defeat, the failure to progress in the EuroLeague and the loss to Valencia in the Spanish league final leaving the club without silverware once again.

Dubai will hope Pascual’s experience, including his 2010 EuroLeague triumph with Barcelona, can help establish the side as a serious force in European basketball.