Barcelona boss Xavi makes future decision after cup exit as stars 'losing faith'

25 January 2024 , 07:37

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Xavi is feeling the pressure (Image: Diego Souto/Getty Images)

Xavi has admitted that he'll be forced to leave Barcelona at the end of this season if he's unable to resolve their ongoing crisis.

Barca were dumped out of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday following a 4-2 defeat to Athletic Bilbao after extra-time. Xavi's side conceded in the first minute of a game for the third time this season before a fortunate Robert Lewandowski strike and stunning solo goal from 16-year-old Lamine Yamal put them ahead going into half-time.

His injury-stricken team collapsed, though, conceding three goals without reply to see their hopes of winning a trophy this term suffer a major blow, as the Spanish champions are already eight points off the top of the La Liga table. Wednesday's result comes less than a fortnight after Barcelona were embarrassed 4-1 by bitter rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final.

As various reports emerged last week claiming that Xavi is losing the dressing room, the legendary ex-Barca midfielder responded by saying he'd 'pack his bags and leave' if that was the case, and now he's made a fresh admission over his future. "I say it again now: if we are not at a competitive level at the end of the season, I will leave," Xavi, who took charge in November 2021 and won the league in his first full season, vowed post-match.

"All coaches at big clubs depend on trophies, but I feel pride at how we competed against a great team until the end, especially the youngsters. We're playing with kids. The squad is small. This is what I mean when I say we are in construction. I think this is the start of something big. Whether I am here or not, Barca have a big future.

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"There is a really good project, not in terms of me as a coach, in terms of a really good generation coming through. [Pau] Cubarsi, [Hector] Fort, Lamine, [Marc] Guiu and many more players [like] Fermin López. I think it's the start of something big, but we have to work hard and we have to win. It's about winning at Barca."

Your turn! Should Barcelona sack Xavi? Give us your stance in the comments section.

Barcelona have squandered two chances of winning a trophy in the past 11 days (ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)

The Copa del Rey represented a great chance for Barcelona to pick up a piece of silverware this season, with Real Madrid and surprise La Liga leaders Girona already eliminated by the time Barca had kicked off in Bilbao. Attention now turns to their first home game of 2024, welcoming Villarreal to Montjuic, having been on the road for their last seven fixtures.

Nathan Ridley