Barcelona 'will not sack Xavi before end of the season'

Barcelona reportedly have no plans to sack Xavi as head coach despite the team's inconsistent form.

The Catalan outfit managed to top their Champions League group despite suffering a surprise 3-2 defeat to Royal Antwerp in their last match in the competition last week.

Barcelona have only won one of their last four La Liga matches, though, with the run including a 4-2 home loss to Girona on December 10, and a 1-1 draw with Valencia last time out.

The reigning champions are down in fourth position in the La Liga table on 35 points, nine points behind leaders Girona on the same number of matches (17), and there has recently been speculation surrounding Xavi's future.

According to Marca, the club will keep Xavi for the remainder of the campaign regardless of what happens, but Rafael Marquez is viewed as a potential replacement in the future.

© Reuters

Marquez represented Barcelona as a player between 2003 and 2010, while he has been in charge of Barcelona B since July 2022 and is thought to have the backing of club president Joan Laporta.

Senior figures at the club allegedly remain convinced that Xavi can help Barcelona challenge for all of the major titles this season despite the team's inconsistent form.

The 43-year-old has been in charge at Camp Nou since November 2021, boasting a record of 70 wins, 21 draws and 23 defeats from his 114 matches at the helm.

"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 (sporting director) yesterday, everything is ok," Xavi told reporters last week.

© Reuters

"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."

Barcelona will round off 2023 with a clash against basement side Almeria on Wednesday night, and they will then not be back in La Liga action until January 4 against Las Palmas.

The Catalan side will also begin their Copa del Rey journey for this season against Barbastro in January, while they have been drawn against Napoli in the last-16 stage of the Champions League.

Barcelona will head to Naples for the first leg of the knockout affair on February 21, before the reverse match takes place at the La Liga club's temporary home of Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on March 12.