The assurance comes from the newspaper As, which states that the coach himself is aware that he cannot continue in his position if the team is eliminated in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
Barcelona's recent draw against Granada, culminating in a 3-3 scoreline, has significantly intensified the pressure on Xavi Hernandez's tenure as the head coach, especially in the wake of his announcement that he planned to step down at the season's end.
This latest hiccup in LaLiga, leaving the team a substantial 10 points adrift of arch-rivals Real Madrid, has further strained the patience of the club's hierarchy, notably President Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco, pushing them to a critical juncture regarding Xavi's immediate future with the club.
The situation has reached a point where Xavi's position at the helm until the season's conclusion is under serious threat. A specific ultimatum has reportedly been set: a defeat against Napoli in the upcoming Champions League clash could precipitate his early departure from Camp Nou. This crucial match in Naples represents more than just a typical round of 16 encounters; it could dictate Xavi's fate at Barcelona, underscoring the high stakes and the precarious balance of expectations and realities facing the club.
Barcelona's ambitions for the season extend beyond domestic success. The club aspires to make a significant impact on the European stage, with reaching at least the quarter-finals of the Champions League being a minimum target. Additionally, overtaking Girona to secure the second spot in LaLiga is seen as crucial, a goal that currently sees them trailing by four points. Xavi is acutely aware that failing to progress in the Champions League could necessitate his earlier-than-planned exit, despite his confidence in turning the team's fortunes around.
Before the pivotal match in Naples, Barcelona faces a seemingly less consequential fixture against Celta de Vigo. However, in the context of Barcelona's turbulent season, every game now carries weight, and performance in these matches could further influence the decision-making process regarding Xavi's future.
Should Xavi's tenure be cut short, the club appears to have a succession plan in place, with Rafa Márquez, the current coach of Barcelona's B team, being the frontrunner to take over. Márquez's potential elevation to the first-team coaching role reflects both a continuity of the club's footballing philosophy and a pragmatic approach to navigating this transitional period.
The scenario encapsulates the volatility of football management, where the balance between ambition and reality, expectation and achievement, can shift dramatically on the outcome of a few key matches. As Barcelona navigates through this critical phase, the decisions made in the coming weeks could have lasting implications for the club's direction, both on and off the pitch.
