Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández is facing an uphill battle as some players within the first-team squad have reportedly started losing faith in him, according to sources. The team’s recent 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercopa final further exacerbated the disillusionment, but it seems the concerns predated this humbling Clásico loss in Saudi Arabia. The players have been questioning the team’s approach for quite some time, and they are also irritated by Xavi’s comments suggesting that they have struggled to adapt to Barcelona’s style of play. While not all players share the same perspective, some feel that Xavi has not been equally stern with certain members of the squad.
In contrast, a source close to Xavi insists that he believes the players are still behind him, acknowledging the possibility that someone might be unhappy within a 20-member squad. Xavi asserts that the team’s results have not met expectations so far this season but emphasizes that he is content with the behavior and attitude displayed by the entire team. The victory over Almeria before Christmas, secured with an 83rd-minute winner from Sergi Roberto, marked a significant turning point in the player-manager relationship, as per one source. Xavi’s post-match comments revealed that he delivered his harshest-ever team talk during halftime to motivate the players, considering their struggling performance against LaLiga’s bottom club.
However, doubts had already crept in before that pivotal moment, with Barcelona suffering defeats in LaLiga against Madrid and Girona, as well as in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk and Royal Antwerp. Despite upholding a positive relationship with his players, Xavi’s future beyond this season remains uncertain, according to sources consulted by ESPN. Though Xavi recently signed a new deal until 2025 and has the support of the club’s sporting director, Deco, there are concerns that confidence in him is diminishing. Financial fair play restrictions and a lack of plausible short-term candidates make it difficult for Barcelona to dismiss Xavi and find a suitable replacement.
Potential Interim Replacement and Current Situation
If Xavi were to leave before the end of the season, sources indicate that Barcelona Atletic coach and former Mexico international Rafa Marquez is the preferred interim option for president Joan Laporta. The recent defeat to Madrid has amplified Barcelona’s string of underwhelming performances, which have drawn criticism from local media. The team currently sits eight points behind LaLiga leaders Girona, who have played one more game, and trail behind Madrid by seven points in second place. However, Barcelona remains in contention in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, with upcoming matches against third-tier Unionistas de Salamanca and Napoli in the respective competitions.
Xavi Hernández, a legendary figure within Barcelona, assumed the role of coach in 2021 and led the Catalan club to their first league title since 2019 in his inaugural full season in charge. However, the growing doubts surrounding his future put him under immense pressure to turn the season around and regain the confidence of the players. With crucial fixtures on the horizon and the need for improved performances, Xavi must navigate these challenges to silence the skeptics and solidify his place as Barcelona’s leader on the touchline. Only time will tell if he can successfully steer the team back to their winning ways and reunite the squad behind a common vision.