Neither Xavi Hernández nor anyone in his circle imagined this scenario when he left Barça's bench. He led the team through one of its most challenging periods. He brought it back to the top of La Liga.
He bet on a young generation that excited Barcelona fans. He hoped that Europe's doors would open wide after his blaugrana experience.
But reality is turning out to be very different. Nobody is calling, and time is passing.
Silence in Italy, silence in England, silence in Germany. The hardest part: not a single formal offer on the table. Only informal calls, vague interest, and many doubts from the major clubs.
Neither Juventus nor Manchester United, which at one point were mentioned as possible destinations, have made a move. Privately, that has started to undermine the spirits of a Xavi who didn't expect something like this.

He wanted to repeat Guardiola's experience
Xavi bet on a style, on an idea, and even on a way of living soccer. He bet on the young players, on the ball, and on a rebuild amid institutional chaos.
But in today's European market, what is most valued are coaches with recent international experience or managers with a more pragmatic approach to soccer.
Xavi is still without a team, after leaving Barça a year ago. The wait is starting to take its toll.
The man from Terrassa hoped to continue his career as Guardiola did. After leaving Barça, a sabbatical year and then Bayern Munich.
For Xavi there has been a sabbatical year, but no Bayern Munich has come looking for him.
Qatar offers him the past, not the future
They've called again from Doha. Xavi left his mark at Al Sadd and is treated as an idol in Qatar. They've offered him a return, with a strong contract and full powers.
But he is clear about it: it would be a step backward. He doesn't want to live off memories. He wants to build something new… in Europe.
"I didn't expect this to happen to me," he has privately confessed to his circle. He is starting to accept that, if the situation doesn't change soon, he might even stop his coaching career and look for new incentives in his life.

The phone isn't ringing… for now
Few coaches can say they sat on Barça's bench before turning 45 and left as La Liga champions. Few bet as strongly on a generation as Lamine, Cubarsí, or Fermín's. Right now, European soccer is turning its back on him.
Xavi is waiting. The phone still isn't ringing.