Barcelona’s Xavi hints at departure if goals stay out of reach
Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has warned that he may leave the Catalan club if the team does not meet its objectives. The remarks originate from Mundo Deportivo, reflecting a manager who is keen to see change when current results fall short of expectations.
He stated, “If we cannot achieve our goals, I will have to leave. When I joined the club, we had a good season and achieved our goals. The second season was very good.” He added that the challenge remains not just in domestic competition but across Europe, noting that there are also La Liga and the Champions League duties to contend with.
“I said what President Laporta said a month ago. I’m not leaving because of the press or psychological problems. The club needs to change its course,” Xavi explained, indicating a broader strategy for the team’s direction. [attribution: Mundo Deportivo]
In the league, Barcelona were defeated at home by Villarreal in January, a 3-5 loss occurring in the 22nd round of the Spanish Championship. Following that result, Xavi announced his plan to step down as head coach at the season’s end, a decision framed as a transition rather than a reaction to a single disappointment.
Currently, Barcelona sit third in La Liga, level on points with Atlético Madrid after 22 matches, totaling 47 points. The team’s continental campaign has shown potential; in the group stage of the Champions League, they secured five wins from six matches and topped their pool, earning a playoff berth where Napoli awaits.
Earlier in the season, Barcelona fell 2-4 to Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, a setback that added weight to the discussions around the club’s immediate direction. Yet Xavi has not simply commented on the present; he has also offered guidance on who should lead the team next, underscoring the importance of a clear, strategic plan for the post-Xavi era. [attribution: Mundo Deportivo]
As Barcelona navigates a pivotal period, the club faces a choice about continuity, leadership, and the road ahead in both domestic and European competition. The season’s outcomes will likely influence discussions about succession, academy integration, and the balance between experience and youth as the club looks to recapture its competitive edge.