If the players do not support him, Xavi, the manager of Barcelona, warns that he will leave the club and take his belongings with him.

Barcelona suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final, leaving head coach Xavi Hernandez feeling “embarrassed” and considering his future at the club.

The reigning Spanish champions have been struggling this season, currently sitting in fourth place in the La Liga table and eight points behind surprise leaders Girona.

Reports have emerged of a dressing room rift, with Xavi allegedly struggling to keep some players onside even before the defeat to their Clasico rivals.

In a press conference ahead of Barcelona’s Copa del Rey tie against Unionistas de Salamanca, Xavi expressed his determination to step away if he no longer feels the backing of the club.

“The day my players no longer follow me, I’ll pack my bags and leave,” Xavi stated. “If I hadn’t won La Liga last year, I wouldn’t be here. When someone tells me there’s a problem, I’ll leave.”

Xavi, who enjoyed a successful playing career at Barcelona, winning numerous league titles and Champions League trophies, took over as head coach in November 2021. In his first full season, he led the team to their first league title in four years, conceding only 20 goals throughout the campaign. However, this season has been a different story, with Barcelona already conceding 22 goals at the halfway stage.

Despite the recent struggles, Xavi remains optimistic and believes the team can turn things around. “In my first season, the objective was to finish in the top four; we came second,” he explained. “Last year, it was to win La Liga; we won it. This year, it is to win a trophy. We have lost the Super Cup and I apologized for the manner of the performance, but we still have three trophies to play for. If we don’t meet objectives, I will be the first to go.”

Xavi also drew inspiration from Real Madrid’s turnaround last season, as they went on to win the Copa del Rey. He emphasized his commitment to Barcelona and his love for the club, stating that he will never be a problem. However, he acknowledged the criticism and understands the pressure he is under.

Barcelona will now focus on their Copa del Rey tie before returning to league action against Real Betis on Sunday. Xavi will be hoping for a positive response from his players as they aim to get their season back on track.