FC Barcelona is a club where demands and expectations are always been high and exhausting. Those who are unable to perform at the highest level for the club are often discarded as needed. However, the way things are currently going at Barcelona, questions are undoubtedly being raised yet again.
The focus is all on Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez as of right now. La Blaugrana have struggled to implement their own identity into their play this season, and have consistently struggled. However, the latest result is by far the most eye-opening hit Barcelona could have taken.
Having lost 4-1 to Real Madrid in the final of the Spanish Super Cup, it is no wonder people are demanding Xavi’s head. More often than not, coaches at Barça do not last long once they begin showing massive signs of vulnerability.
However, it seems that the standards may be a bit different in Xavi’s case. As highlighted by Fabrizio Romano, Deco has just shared the consensus of the higher-ups on what Xavi’s future looks like after the latest Spanish Super Cup defeat:
“Questions about Xavi make no sense. He (Xavi) has full confidence from all of us. This defeat doesn’t change our plans.”
While this may put off some understandably frustrated fans, it still has potential rational thinking behind it. Xavi remains one of the few coaches in Europe who possibly understand the Barcelona way of playing. Moreover, even if Barça wanted to, the options for a replacement are very limited.
Rafa Marquez, one of the likely candidates, would have to make the jump from Barcelona Atletic. However, that jump would also come with various new complications. Marquez also remains unproven at such a top level and he could potentially also have fans after his head then.
At the moment, what Barcelona really need is to take a step back and assess. A lot of things went wrong, but what can now be done is that Barcelona can look to correct their issues. That is where the Catalan giants need to improve first and foremost.
