‘The results will come… and if they don’t, a new coach will come’: Xavi talks AGAIN at Barcelona after their dismal Champions League exit, but says he is ‘confident in their project’ despite mounting pressure
Barcelona manager Xavi has again taken an unusual stance on his future
The 42-year-old admitted a ‘new coach’ will take over unless results improve
Xavi admitted he feels ‘confident’ in his project but doubted his tenure
Barcelona was dumped from the Champions League on Wednesday evening
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Barcelona manager Xavi has used the unusual story to cast doubt on his future at the club after revealing he will be replaced unless his side win trophies and achieve results this season.
Inter Milan’s 4-0 victory over Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League on Wednesday saw the Catalan club relegated to the Europa League, leaving Barcelona for the first time in 24 years.
Their 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich later that night caused even more misery and embarrassment for the five-time European champions.
Barcelona boss Xavi has again questioned his future as manager at the club
Barcelona left the Champions League on Wednesday after losing to Bayern Munich
Xavi, one of the club’s legendary players and now head coach, has come under pressure for a turbulent start to the season, with the club striving for success in La Liga but struggling with top teams in league football.
The 42-year-old previously admitted he would face the ‘consequences’ of Barcelona president Joan Laporta if he failed to show progress on the pitch.
Xavi previously admitted he would face ‘consequences’ if the results didn’t improve
“With the efforts of the club and the selection we have, we have to compete for the trophies,” he said at his press conference before the game against Villarreal on Thursday.
“And if we don’t win, as the president said, there will be consequences, starting with me.
“If we don’t win, another coach will be added. But I’m going to give everything to make this work,” Xavi said earlier.
The skimpy Spanish outfit spent nearly £150m on new signings with the summer arrivals of Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kunde, Raphinha, Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie, dramatically raising expectations at the club.
A Champions League group stage dismissal will cost the club £20million, plus extras for later progression in the tournament, with their Europa League fall tarnishing Barcelona’s record.
The 42-year-old revealed the club should win titles this season after massive summer spending
Barcelona stars could see a new coach coming unless results at the club start to change
Heading into Saturday’s league game with Valencia, Xavi has once again taken a realistic approach to his future at the club, admitting that his time as manager of his former side could be cut short.
“I feel faith in what we are doing,” Xavi said at a press conference on Friday.
‘There is full confidence in the project. Expectations are high and it is not what we hoped for to go out of the Champions League. We have to accept the criticism and work hard.
‘Results should not be a distraction. We cannot change course from the ideas we have. Results will come and if not, another coach will come in – that’s the law of life.’
“The goal is to win trophies and that doesn’t change, even if we don’t have a Champions League now.”
Xavi also insisted he ‘feels confident’ in his project which he explained to Barca chiefs
‘Drawing in January? The board is working, of course, but it’s too early to talk about this.”
Barcelona are three points behind undefeated rivals Real Madrid in La Liga after their 3-1 El Clasico dismantling earlier in October. Since then, Xavi’s side of star-studded talent has won two matches and lost once.