Xavi's future as Barcelona head coach is reportedly not in immediate danger despite Sunday's heavy 4-1 loss to rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final.
The 43-year-old successful steered the Catalan giants to Spanish Super Cup glory last season – his first full campaign in charge – shortly before leading the club to their first La Liga title in four years.
However, Barcelona have experienced a somewhat underwhelming 2023-24 season and Xavi has come under scrutiny for his side's inconsistent form.
Barca currently sit fourth in the La Liga table, seven points behind second-placed Real Madrid and eight points adrift of surprise leaders Girona, while they were outclassed by a rampant Los Blancos outfit in last weekend's Super Cup showdown in Saudi Arabia.
Robert Lewandowski got his name on the scoresheet for the holders, but a 39-minute hat-trick from Vinicius Junior and a second-half strike from Rodrygo helped Real Madrid cruise to victory over 10-man Barca, who had Ronald Araujo sent off in the final 20 minutes.
© Reuters
Barcelona have won just four of their last eight competitive matches in all competitions, and according to Mundo Deportivo, the club's hierarchy are increasingly concerned by the form of Xavi's side.
However, the report adds that Xavi 'is not in danger' of being given the boot and his job in the dugout remains safe for the time being.
Barcelona sporting director Deco has offered support to Xavi and has insisted that the defeat to El Clasico rivals Real Madrid does not change their views of the club's current head coach.
Speaking to Movistar, as quoted by ESPN, about Xavi's future, Deco said: "This question makes no sense. The coach still has the president and the club's confidence and this defeat does not change anything.
"We weren't able to counter Madrid with Vinicius and Rodrygo. They have quality players. At 2-1, there was the feeling we could improve, but the third goal did a lot of damage.
"It was a trophy we wanted to win and losing 4-1 is tough, but we were not able to fight. We have to keep going and turn our thoughts to Thursday's Copa game now."
Xavi, meanwhile, has acknowledged that he is responsible for Barca's "worst performance" of the season against Los Blancos, but he believes that he is the right man to turn the club's fortunes around in the second half of the campaign.
© Reuters
"I am disappointed and sad," Xavi told Movistar. "This is football and today we have to deal with the painful side of the game. It is a shame. We had a lot of hope going into the final and we've produced our worst performance. We started badly, we had a chance to come back, but the penalty killed the game.
"We were never comfortable. Madrid did a lot of damage on the counter and in transition. We apologise to the fans, we didn't compete, but I've experienced a lot of defeats with this club. Barca will come back."
"It's a moment to say sorry to the supporters and accept the criticism that comes," Xavi added. "We did not show the side of the team we should have in a final, especially against Madrid.
"We were at our worst today in the worst scenario possible and it's a trophy lost. I am responsible. I accept the criticism and we will keep working hard.
"I believe in the project, myself and in the players and that we can turn the situation around. Today is a step back and a big blow for me, the club and the players, but this is sport and the project continues. I have been in these situations many times."
Xavi, who is under contract at Camp Nou until June 2025, is now preparing his Barcelona side for Thursday's Copa del Rey last-16 tie away against third-tier team Unionistas de Salamanca.
No Data Analysis info
