Barcelona are ‘NOT considering sacking Xavi’ as president Joan Laporta does not ‘want to make a hasty decision’ to axe the under-fire manager despite crashing out of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday

Barcelona are reportedly ‘not considering sacking Xavi’ despite their torrid start to the 2023-24 campaign. 

The Catalan outfit crashed out of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday after they suffered a 4-2 defeat by Athletic Bilbao. They have now also dropped eight-points behind Girona at the top of the LaLiga table and currently sit third in the Spanish top-flight. 

Barcelona also recently suffered a 4-1 thrashing by rivals Real Madrid in the final of the Spanish Super Cup and pressure has been mounting on their manager Xavi, with some reports claiming that he has been ‘losing the dressing room’.

But according to SPORT, the LaLiga champions are reluctant to part ways with their manager, who succeded former boss Ronald Koeman back in 2021.

The Spanish outlet understands that the club want to ensure that there is enough stability to enable the team to continue to challenge at the top level.

The LaLiga outfit crashed out of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday after suffering a 4-1 defeat by Athletico Bilbao

President Joan Laporta reportedly ‘does not want to make any hasty decisions’ on Xavi’s future

It is also understood that club president Joan Laporta ‘does not want to make any hasty decisions’ on Xavi’s future

SPORT adds: ‘as long as the team is in the Champions League positions and the chances of winning are kept alive, Xavi will continue in office.’ 

Despite crashing out of the Cup, Barcelona are still able to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League, with Xavi’s side set to take on Napoli in the Round of 16. 

They’ll travel to Naples for the first leg of that tie on February 21, with the return fixture coming on March 12. 

The Blaugrana want to ensure there is stability at the club so that they can continue to challenge in the Champions League and LaLiga

The Catalan outfit have dropped to third in LaLiga, eight points behind Girona who currently sit sit at the top of the table 

Xavi, who made 767 appearances for Barcelona during his playing career, has also opened up on what it would take to make him quit. 

‘If we are not competing at the end of the season, then I will have to leave,’ Xavi said to reporters following their defeat by Athletic Bilbao.

‘But that does not just go for me, it goes for all coaches. This is a big club. This is Barca. I know where I am and the demands that exist. We have to win trophies – or at least compete for them.’

The Blaugrana will continue their league campaign on Saturday as they take on Villarreal, who have won just once in their last five LaLiga matches.