Despite the team’s recent slump in form and results, Barcelona has “complete” faith in Xavi Hernandez and his role as coach, according to a club source.
The Catalan club lost 1-0 to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday. They needed an extra-time winner from Ronald Arajo to overcome Real Sociedad 1-0 in La Liga on Saturday, following a 2-1 setback to Real Madrid a week earlier.
According to sources close to Xavi, any speculation about his future as coach is “out of place” considering his track record at the club.
Xavi took over as manager in November 2021, when the club was struggling on and off the field, and led the club to a comfortable La Liga title last season.
According to sources, Xavi’s was a long-term effort that should not be called into doubt because of a bad run of form.
The setback against Shakhtar, which meant Barcelona missed out on a chance to advance to the Champions League round of 16, was a blow to morale, according to a club source, but it had not caused the board to doubt Xavi.
According to the insider, the tone behind the scenes was one of togetherness and confidence, and the team was anticipated to recover swiftly.
Xavi has faced criticism in recent weeks for the team’s style of play, with only two goals scored in their past three games, but sources close to the coach told ESPN that they would not comment on his future.
In September, Xavi renewed his contract as manager until 2025, and he has an excellent connection with president Joan Laporta.
Before Sunday’s game against Alavés at Montjuic, Barcelona is third in La Liga, four points behind leaders Girona and two behind Real Madrid.
Pique Defends Xavi As Barcelona’s Only Right Manager At The Moment
Then come three big tests at home against FC Porto in the Champions League, Atletico Madrid, and Girona in La Liga. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, former Barcelona captain Gerard Pique urged “patience” with Xavi.
“You should only sack the manager when you don’t see solutions,” Pique told the Catalan radio station RAC1. “Xavi knows the place, he’s been there for many years. He grew up with the style of play. I can’t see anyone better than him to take this forward.”
“There are nerves and criticism when Barca don’t play well for a couple of games, but that’s normal at this club,” he said.
“At Barca, we need to win and play well. At [Real] Madrid they’d love to win 1-0 at Anoeta [against Real Sociedad] in the 92nd minute, but here it’s not enough because of how we played. That’s added pressure for the coach and the players.”
Pique claimed that Barcelona’s concentration on playing attractive football made his job more difficult, but also more fulfilling.
“[Real Madrid] are the team that has won more [Champions Leagues] than anyone in Europe, but our way of being and thinking means that when we win, we’re remembered forever,” he said.
“Pep [Guardiola]’s Barca are remembered as the best team in recent history. Madrid’s last Champions League [win in 2022] was a miracle and nobody remembers it. They weren’t the better team in a single tie, including the final.”
