Under-pressure Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez stated on Wednesday that if his team lost faith in him after last weekend’s crushing Spanish Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid, he would leave.
Barcelona was thrashed 4-1 by Madrid on Sunday and is now eight points behind leaders Girona in the La Liga rankings.
The Catalans have struggled defensively this year, in sharp contrast to their Liga triumph the previous season.
They have surrendered 22 goals halfway through the league season, compared to just 20 in the whole 2022-23 campaign.
“The day my players no longer follow me, I’ll pack my bags and leave,” Xavi told reporters.
“If I hadn’t won La Liga last year, I wouldn’t be here now.
“If someone tells me there is an issue, I will leave.
“I adore this club. I am here to contribute. “If I don’t do it, I’ll go home,” the former Barcelona captain said.
The 43-year-old returned to the Spanish champions in 2021, after a time as Al Sadd manager when Barcelona was in free decline.
They face third-tier Unionistas in the Spanish Cup last 16 on Thursday, followed by Napoli in the Champions League first leg in February.
“When the owners signed me from Qatar, they said it was one of the worst moments in the club’s history,” he added.
“We are in the process of altering things.
“I am relaxed; I have three championships to win. “I think we’re closer to success than failure,” the former midfielder continued.