Xavi has reached ‘CRITICAL’ situation at Barcelona

Robin Bairner

• 14 Dec 2023 12:04 GMT
• 3 min read

Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez faces a period of crisis amid claims that the club have “serious doubts” over his ability to take the team forwards.

Reports in Spain indicate that president Joan Laporta is considering alternative options after watching Barca lost 3-2 to Royal Antwerp in the Champions League encounter on Wednesday.

Little was riding on the match for Barcelona, who had already sewn up qualification from Group H, yet a second defeat in the competition was a bloody nose for a side that has struggled in recent weeks.

Barca have lost four of their last nine matches, starting with their defeat in El Clasico, and have dropped seven points off the pace of LaLiga leaders Girona.

While there is little prospect of the Camp Nou club missing out on the Champions League next term, there are very real worries about their overall competitiveness and Xavi’s ability to bring them out of a worrying period.

Xavi accused of 'lacking control'

Fichajes reports that the defeat against Antwerp means the situation has reached a “critical point”, with Barcelona “lacking control on all fronts”.

The financial situation at the club is such that they cannot buy their way out of this problem, so another solution needs to be found.

Xavi was always liable to encounter a situation like this if Barcelona lost form in the manner they have.

The beautiful football so associated with his time as a player has been cast aside for a more pragmatic brand under the club legend. In part, this has been done out of necessity, but it is not what fans of the Camp Nou side have grown used to over the years.

Now that the results have gone, the pressure is ramping up.

Laporta is starting to look at alternative options, according to reports, and while there are no names that instantly jump out as strong candidates to replace Xavi, the fact that the question is even being asked spells trouble for the Barcelona legend.