FC Barcelona Coach Xavi Discusses Potentially Resigning After Athletic Club Copa Del Rey Quarterfinal Loss by [**Tom Sanderson**](https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomsanderson/) **(**Based in Barcelona since 2019 after six years in São Paulo, I have written on these topics at length through previews and analysis while having also covered match reports for tournaments such as the Copa America. As well as writing for Forbes Sports, I edit Yellow & Green Football: a site on Brazilian soccer that is part of the Guardian Sport Network and a partner of O Globo)
FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez discussed potentially leaving his post after the Catalans lost 4-2 to Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Barca got off to a nightmare start in San Mames where they fell 1-0 down via a Gorka Guruzeta strike in less than a minute.
Robert Lewandowski and [Lamine Yamal then netted six minutes apart](https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomsanderson/2024/01/24/fc-barcelona-wonderkid-lamine-yamal-compared-to-lionel-messi-after-copa-del-rey-quarterfinal-screamer-video/) either side of half hour mark to put the visitors 2-1 up.
But an Oihan Sancet equalizer on 49 minutes forced extra time, which paved the way for both of the Williams brothers to sink Barca and end perhaps their only realistic hopes of lifting silverware this term.
Xavi has spoken on this before, and [said in a press conference just a week ago](https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomsanderson/2024/01/17/fc-barcelona-coach-xavi-discusses-exit-and-dagger-in-the-heart/?sh=2510e9292600) that he would leave if the objectives of landing big trophies aren’t met.
Probed on the matter once more in Bilbao following the full time whistle, he reiterated his previous stance with a fresh twist.
“I say it again now: if we are not at a competitive level at the end of the season, I will leave,” the club legend [vowed](https://twitter.com/carpetasFCB/status/1750303847656927352).
For now Xavi thinks his side is competing, however, even though it is peppered with teenagers and recent La Masia academy graduates including Lamine, Hector Fort and Pau Cubarsi who he mentioned by name one after the other and singled out for having a “great game”.
“When I say that we are under construction it is this: it is the beginning of something important. \[The start\] of an important generation, whether I am the coach or not. Barca has a future,” Xavi insisted.
“On the one hand I am sad about the result, but on the other hand I am proud of the performance of the young players.”
“We have competed very well against a great team that is very strong at home. I already said that the \[quarterfinal\] draw wasn’t good,” Xavi also said.
“They are very intense, it is very difficult \[to play against them\]. We have to rebuild ourselves and compete in La Liga and the Champions,” he demanded, with Saturday’s hosting of Villarreal seeing Barca play their first home game of 2024 at the Montjuic Stadium.
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by Patty37624371
7 comments
I rather see him go in his terms, it would be a class act tbh
I think (and I hope I am right on this) given how much XAVI loves Barca, the moment he sees that he is the problem, he himself will step down before anyone else asks him.
But the issue with that is obviously he has to be a good judge on knowing when he is the problem and when he is not.
It would be the honorable way for everyone involved if he steps down in the summer
I was always supportive of Xavi since overall his results were impressive and he brought us the league. But it seems like most of our goals are purely due to individual brilliances and there is no similar pattern. And the inconsistency this season is alarming. Even the technician team aren’t doing their job as we suffer too many injuries. So I think he should resign considering all these
It’s such a shame because he really isn’t the only problem. I do think with a more competent staff behind him and just a few more signings he could work out. But the reality is he’s not gonna change his staff and we don’t have the money for the kinds of signings we truly need unless someone wants to be charitable and buy out their own contract and take low wages which of course should not be expected.
As much as I can understand his thoughts on this. I don’t think we’ll get anyone better than him with our current situation. IMO for today’s game none of it can be on his fault.
Xavis needs to be given time. If the likes of Artera and others are given time, Xavi needs to be given that.
I am so torn right now because knowing Laporta, if xavi is to step down, Laporta is definitely appointing Marquez and he isnt any better than xavi.