Barcelona boss Xavi fighting to keep dressing room – sources

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández is fighting to keep the gamers onside with a piece of the primary-staff squad dropping religion in him, a number of sources have advised ESPN.

Barça have been crushed 4-1 by Real Madrid within the Spanish Supercopa closing on Sunday, however sources say the disillusionment predates that humbling Clásico defeat in Saudi Arabia.

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Several gamers have been questioning the staff’s strategy for some time. They are additionally aggravated that Xavi stated they haven’t been ready to adapt to Barça’s type of play.

One supply stated not all of the gamers share the identical opinion, however that some really feel he has not been as robust on sure members of the squad.

A supply shut to Xavi insists the coach’s feeling is that the gamers are nonetheless with him whereas acknowledging there’s at all times the chance somebody is sad inside a 20-participant squad.

They recognise outcomes haven’t been as anticipated to this point this season, however say Xavi has been proud of the behaviour and angle proven by your complete staff. The 3-2 win over Almeria earlier than Christmas was labelled by one supply as a “turning point” within the relationship between the gamers and the supervisor.

Xavi stated after that sport that he gave his harshest-ever staff speak at half-time as Barça laboured to a victory with an 83rd-minute winner from Sergi Roberto in opposition to LaLiga’s backside membership, who stay winless this season.

However, whereas that second has been singled out, doubts set in earlier than as Barça suffered defeats in LaLiga in opposition to Madrid and Girona and within the Champions League in opposition to Shakhtar Donetsk and Royal Antwerp.

Xavi has stated in a number of information conferences that he believes the connection along with his gamers stays optimistic. Speaking after the defeat to Madrid on Sunday, he stated he nonetheless believes in them and is satisfied they will flip the season round.

Meanwhile, sporting director Deco stated it made “no sense” to query Xavi’s future, including that the coach, who just lately signed a brand new deal till 2025, retained the membership’s help.

However, sources consulted by ESPN haven’t been as forthright, conceding that there are doubts surrounding Xavi’s future past this season, regardless of that contract renewal.

That suggests confidence is waning, however Barça’s monetary honest play state of affairs makes dismissing Xavi and appointing a alternative troublesome, whereas there are additionally a scarcity of apparent candidates to flip to within the quick time period.

Sources added that ought to Xavi find yourself leaving earlier than the tip of the season, Barça Atletic coach and former Mexico worldwide Rafa Marquez is president Joan Laporta’s most popular choice to exchange him on an interim foundation.

Sunday’s defeat to Madrid magnified Barça’s latest poor performances, which haven’t at all times been punished by way of outcomes however have been criticised by the native media.

They have fallen eight factors behind LaLiga leaders Girona, who’ve performed a sport extra, and are seven adrift of Madrid, who sit second.

However, they continue to be alive within the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. They journey to third-tier Unionistas de Salamanca within the spherical of 16 of the Copa on Thursday and face Napoli on the identical stage in Europe subsequent month.

Xavi, who spent over 20 years as a participant at Barça, took over the Catalan membership in 2021 and led them to their first league title since 2019 final yr in what was his first full season in cost.