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Xavi 'in danger of being sacked as Barcelona head coach'

Xavi 'in danger of being sacked as Barcelona head coach'
© Reuters
Xavi's position as Barcelona head coach reportedly comes under question due to the team's back-to-back defeats.

Xavi's position as Barcelona manager is reportedly coming under question, with the Catalan outfit suffering back-to-back defeats.

The La Liga champions were beaten 4-2 at home by Girona in the league on Sunday before suffering a 3-2 loss to Royal Antwerp in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The loss in Spain's top flight left Barcelona in fourth position in the La Liga table, seven points off the leaders Girona, but the club still finished top of their Champions League group despite their latest defeat.

According to AS, Xavi is now facing 'maximum pressure', with none of the club's six board members, including president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco, believed to be backing him.

The report claims that another poor result against Valencia on Saturday could lead to the 43-year-old losing his job, with senior figures at the club losing faith in him.

FC Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring their first goal with Jules Kounde on December 10, 2023© Reuters

After the defeat to Antwerp, Xavi told reporters: "We have to be self-critical, but we are alive. We have to think about where we came from. I think we are much better mentally than last year.

"I consider myself capable of turning the situation around. We have four titles at stake and I am positive. Nothing has changed. I am confident that the team will improve. Trust me. Laporta and Deco have confidence in me.

"It is not a matter of trust, the system gives a lot of confidence, but it is a matter of inspiration. Sometimes wearing a Barcelona shirt can be heavy.

"Today we spent two hours talking with Deco and president Laporta. There is no problem inside. I'm fine, positive. It is not that I am in a bad situation.

Barcelona's Ferran Torres celebrates scoring against Royal Antwerp on December 13, 2023© Reuters

"The defeat that hurts us is the one on Sunday in Girona, not this one... we are in the round of 16 of the Champions League after two years.

"All this will change by winning on Saturday in Valencia. The bad feelings may be on the outside, but nothing on the inside. From inside the club, we are all fine. We have a final on Saturday, against Valencia."

Xavi has been in charge of Barcelona since November 2021, boasting a record of 69 wins, 20 draws and 23 defeats from his 112 matches at the helm.

The Catalan side will take on Valencia and Almeria in their two league matches before the winter break in Spain, and the board are thought to be expecting two wins.

Barcelona will then be back in La Liga action against Las Palmas in their first match of 2024 before taking on Barbastro in the Copa del Rey on January 7.

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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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