Barcelona head coach Xavi has no concerns that he could lose his job at the club amid suggestions that the Catalan outfit are already lining up a replacement.
Successive losses to Girona and Royal Antwerp in La Liga and the Champions League respectively have piled the pressure on Xavi, and it has been claimed that another poor result against Valencia on Saturday could lead to him losing his job.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has allegedly lined up Barcelona B boss Rafael Marquez as Xavi's replacement, but the 43-year-old has said that he has the backing of the club following a discussion with sporting director Deco.
"I am very excited. It's time to be composed, calm, and regain confidence. I believe in the project more than ever, and we are united. I spoke to with Deco yesterday, everything is ok," Xavi told reporters ahead of Saturday's clash with Valencia at Mestalla.
"I suffer more, but I like to push the wheel and continue. I give more of myself in these situations. I have not thought about stopping. I do not want to let the club of my life down.
© Reuters
"It's a final. We need points because we are not performing as well as we should be in the league. Defeats against Real Madrid and Girona weigh heavily on us and this is a very difficult game because Valencia at the Mestalla are a very difficult opponent.
"This happened to us last year, the same pattern. Last season in October, they wanted to get rid of everything and in the end, it was a great season. Five months ago, we were in the streets celebrating two titles.
"The club defended me directly and publicly as well. It was said that I have a bad relationship with Deco, but the relationship with him is exceptional.
"I receive messages as if everything is a funeral. I try to abstract myself, but I receive messages as if my father or mother have died. By the way, none of you congratulated me on qualifying for the Champions League round of 16 after the Antwerp game."
© Reuters
Barcelona's 4-2 home loss to Girona in La Liga last weekend has left them down in fourth position in the table, seven points behind leaders Girona ahead of the next set of fixtures in Spain's top flight.
"A month ago, you asked me if I would become Barcelona's [Sir Alex] Ferguson. I'm going crazy, now you have put me on the street and I don't know where I am," Xavi continued.
"The club needs stability. All projects, even with other teams, when there are turns, need stability. We are the champions of the league, whether we lose or draw in Valencia, we will have stability. This is what we need in the post-Lionel Messi era and in a very complex economic situation.
"Last year, I understood the noise when they eliminated us from the Champions League, but I do not understand it this year. We have finished first in the group, we are in the race for the league, and we still have to play the Copa and the Super Cup."
Barcelona will take on Valencia and Almeria in their final two La Liga matches of the year before returning to action away to Las Palmas after the winter break.
Matt Law
