Barcelona board members are losing faith in Xavi, job is under threat.
The management position at FC Barcelona comes with its own set of expectations and pressures that are unlike any other, and anyone taking over the reins must have tremendous mental fortitude.
So, considering his lack of experience managing an elite team, there were some doubts when Xavi Hernandez was appointed manager in November 2021, replacing Ronald Koeman.
However, due to his familiarity and knowledge of the club’s ideology, the renowned former midfielder was granted the vote of confidence.
To a significant part, Xavi rewarded the faith by leading Barça to a second-place finish in La Liga in 2021/22 after taking over at a time when a top-four finish appeared unlikely.
Following that, he ended Barcelona’s trophy drought since 2021, when the Blaugrana won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup in his first full season in charge.
Doubts creeping in
Following his achievement last season, Xavi was given a new contract extension with Barcelona that would extend until the summer of 2025.
However, as the team’s performance has deteriorated in the last six weeks or so, concerns about the 43-year-old tactician have begun to sneak in.
Indeed, journalist Alex Pintanel reports that some Barcelona board members have lost faith in Xavi.
Barcelona board members are losing faith in Xavi, job is under threat.
Barcelona has had a difficult road since the international break, with defeats to Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk, as well as performances against weaker sides such as Alaves and Rayo Vallecano, leaving a lot to be desired.
A 1-0 triumph over Atletico Madrid appeared to be a watershed moment, but Barcelona was defeated 2-4 by Girona in the Catalan derby on Sunday, which appears to have tossed the cat among the pigeons.
Xavi’s comments did not go down well
As previously reported in the media, Xavi’s post-match comments following the loss, in which he stated that the team was still under building and that his team was better than Girona, did not sit well with some of the club’s higher-ups.
At this time, Xavi has a lower victory % than a particular Quique Setien as Barcelona’s manager.
Furthermore, stories of instability and disruption in the dressing room have begun to emerge, with some players even claiming to know more than Xavi.
Not to mention, president Joan Laporta allegedly intervened in the squad selection for tonight’s game against Royal Antwerp, compelling Xavi to include some players who were previously resting.
Despite this, it appears that the president and manager have a good working relationship. It was also claimed that the decision to change the squad list was agreed unanimously after Xavi met with Laporta and sports director Deco.
However, with the 43-year-old losing support in the boardroom, a couple more gaffes could spell disaster for him. Even if no immediate modifications are made in the middle of the season, the issue could be evaluated in the summer and changes made.
