Barcelona president Joan Laporta called for unity on Sunday and said the players will need the support of fans more than ever after coach Xavi Hernández revealed he will resign at the end of the season.
Xavi, 44, made the shock announcement following Saturday's 5-3 home defeat to Villarreal, which left Barca 10 points behind LaLiga leaders Real Madrid.
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It also came after a 4-1 defeat to Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final this month and a 4-2 defeat against Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals in midweek, results that had increased the pressure on the Barça coach.
“I really want to reverse this situation, which is not pleasant for anyone, but what is needed now is unity,” Laporta told the club's official media on Sunday.
“It is true that things are not going as we had planned this season. We won LaLiga and the Super Cup last year and, with an improved squad, we had higher expectations for the campaign. But we have not met those expectations and we must change the situation around.
“We are grateful for the commitment that the fans have shown to the team and the club during this period. We are going to need it going forward, starting with the home game against Osasuna on Wednesday.
“I am sure that you understand the situation, the difficulties [the club are having]”but the players need them and the role of the fans is going to be fundamental between now and the end of the season.”
Saturday's loss to Villarreal was the first time Barça had conceded five goals in a LaLiga home game since January 1963, when they were beaten 5-1 by Madrid. It is also the first time since 1951 that they have conceded four or more goals in consecutive games.
Laporta and his board met with Xavi immediately after the match at the Olympic Stadium to discuss the coach's future, and Xavi later explained his decision in a press conference.
“Xavi wanted to leave at the end of the season and it is a formula that he was willing to accept because it was his proposal,” Laporta added.
“He is a legend of the club, an honest, dignified person and someone who loves Barça. The commitment of Xavi and his staff is and will be 100% until the end of the season.”
After being eliminated from the Super Cup and the Cup this month, Barça's hopes of winning titles now depend solely on LaLiga and the Champions League.
They remain third in the league, behind Madrid and Girona, and have qualified for the round of 16 of the Champions League, where they will face Napoli over two legs in February and March.
“LaLiga is going to be tough, but it is not lost yet,” said Laporta. “We have to fight to finish as high as possible. We have to give everything to also win the Champions League.
“We are going to go step by step, with commitment and even more character without losing concentration. With a coach giving everything and the players committed we can achieve one of the objectives we have at the end of the season.”
Xavi replaced Ronald Koeman in 2021 and took Barça from ninth place in LaLiga to second place and qualification for the Champions League.
Last season, his first full campaign at the helm of the club, he led the team to its first LaLiga title since 2019 and also won the Spanish Super Cup.
In total, Xavi has directed 122 matches in all competitions, winning 75, drawing 21 and losing 26.
