MX23RW : Wednesday, November 27 15:44:49| >> :120:7745:7745:

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
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


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