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Barcelona 'not considering sacking Xavi'

Barcelona 'not considering sacking Xavi'
© Reuters
Barcelona reportedly have no intention of sacking head coach Xavi despite the club's recent inconsistent form.

Barcelona reportedly intend to retain the services of head coach Xavi for the foreseeable future.

Last season, the club legend was able to end Real Madrid's recent dominance by winning the La Liga title, less than a year after Barcelona had been able to benefit from using economical levers.

However, while that temporary extra leeway with their finances helped in the short term, the Catalan giants already look unlikely to defend their top-flight crown in 2023-24.

Albeit sitting in third position, Barcelona are eight points adrift of leaders Girona and Real having won just 13 of their 20 league fixtures.

Furthermore, Barcelona were dumped out of the Copa del Rey in midweek after losing 4-2 to Athletic Bilbao, with that viewed as a missed opportunity with Girona and Real also out of the competition.

Athletic Bilbao's Oihan Sancet celebrates scoring against Barcelona on January 24, 2024© Reuters

Barcelona have now reached a point where they have lost four of their last 11 matches in all competitions, keeping just one clean sheet during that period.

Reports have indicated that pressure is beginning to mount on Xavi, despite the circumstances that he is working under and the amount of youngsters that he has promoted to the first-team setup when he is unable to sign new players.

The 44-year-old has insisted that he will take the decision to walk away from the dugout should he feel that he has 'lost the dressing room' - as some reports have claimed - or that he cannot take Barcelona forward.

Nevertheless, according to SPORT, club officials would prefer not to part ways with Xavi, at least in the short term.

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta speaks during the board meeting on September 13, 2023© Reuters

The Barcelona hierarchy allegedly want to ensure that there is a certain level of stability at a time when it remains crucial that Barcelona qualify for next season's Champions League.

While that can be achieved by winning this season's competition, Barcelona only hold a three-point advantage over fifth in the La Liga table, their most realistic route being through claiming fourth.

President Joan Laporta is said to intend to retain the services of Xavi as long as Barcelona do not drop out of the aforementioned positions.

A favourable run of fixtures is upcoming in La Liga, with three of their next four outings being against Villarreal, Osasuna and Granada at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid38298187266195
2Barcelona38267579443585
3GironaGirona38256785463981
4Atletico MadridAtletico382441070432776
5Athletic Bilbao381911861372468
6Real Sociedad3816121051391260
7Real BetisBetis38141594845357
8Villarreal381411136565053
9Valencia381310154045-549
10AlavesAlaves381210163646-1046
11Osasuna38129174556-1145
12Getafe381013154254-1243
13Celta Vigo381011174657-1141
14Sevilla381011174854-641
15Mallorca38816143344-1140
16Las PalmasLas Palmas381010183347-1440
17Rayo Vallecano38814162948-1938
RCadizCadiz38615172655-2933
RAlmeria38312234375-3221
RGranada3849253879-4121


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