Xavi Hernández, the current Barcelona coach, recently spoke out about his future with the team amidst a wave of criticism following their Copa del Rey quarterfinal exit. The 44-year-old led Barça to their first LaLiga title since 2019 last year but has faced difficulties this season, including a recent defeat in the Spanish Supercopa final and the midweek Copa elimination. Xavi's comments provide insight into his mindset and his outlook on the situation.
Addressing the media ahead of Barcelona's LaLiga game against Villarreal, Xavi expressed his calmness amidst the speculation surrounding his future. He highlighted the disparity between his reality and that of the media, stating, 'I live in a different reality to you. I know the club. I have been at the club for a long time, luckily or not.' Despite the noise and pressure, Xavi seems undeterred, feeling that the focus could have shifted had they advanced past Athletic Club in the Copa.
Xavi recognizes the time limitations of his role as Barcelona coach, drawing parallels with previous coaches like Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique, who spent four and three years at the helm, respectively. He asserts, 'The point will arrive when I go, don't worry.' This indicates that he is aware of his eventual departure from the club, potentially in the summer if Barcelona is not competing at the desired level.
While contemplating his future departure, Xavi hopes to be missed and appreciated like other Barcelona figures before him, including Ernesto Valverde, Ronald Koeman, and Sergio Busquets. Reflecting on how certain individuals were only appreciated when leaving the club, Xavi wants his contributions to be valued in the present moment.
Xavi emphasizes that he understands the reality of the club better than anyone else. Considering the historical challenges Barcelona has faced, he believes they are doing a good job overall with the support of the board and the players. However, it is in June when decisions will be made about the team's direction and potential changes.
Following Barcelona's setbacks in the Supercopa and Copa, their focus now rests on their remaining campaigns in LaLiga and the Champions League. Xavi remains optimistic about their chances, expressing, 'We can get back in the title race in LaLiga and we are massively looking forward to the Champions League.' He also mentions that the club has expressed confidence in his leadership and is positive about the project. However, Xavi acknowledges that ultimately, it's all about winning.
In addition to the ongoing challenges, Barcelona will be without left-back Alejandro Balde, who suffered a potentially season-ending hamstring injury. Balde's treatment options, including surgery, are currently being considered. The team also has a list of injured players, including Gavi, Marcos Alonso, Iñigo Martínez, Raphinha, and Marc-André ter Stegen, who recently returned to training after two months.
Xavi's comments shed light on the pressures and expectations he faces as Barcelona's coach. While the future remains uncertain, he continues to approach his role with determination and optimism. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Barcelona to see if they can overcome their recent setbacks and achieve success in LaLiga and the Champions League.
