Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández is struggling to keep players in the team and a portion of the first team is losing faith in him, several sources have told ESPN.
Barca were beaten 4-1 by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday, but sources say the disappointment predates that humiliating El Clasico defeat in Saudi Arabia.
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Several players have been questioning the team's approach for some time. It also bothers them that Xavi has said that they have not known how to adapt to Barça's style of play.
A source said not all players share the same opinion, but some feel he hasn't been as tough on certain members of the team.
A source close to Xavi insists that the coach's feeling is that the players are still with him, although he recognizes that there is always the possibility that someone is not happy within a squad of 20 players.
They acknowledge that the results have not been what they expected so far this season, but they say that Xavi is happy with the behavior and attitude shown by the entire team. The 3-2 victory over Almería before Christmas was described by one source as a “turning point” in the relationship between the players and the manager.
Xavi said after that match that he gave his toughest team speech at half-time as Barca cruised to a victory with an 83rd-minute goal from Sergi Roberto against the bottom club in LaLiga, who remain winless this season.
However, although that moment has been pointed out, doubts arose before, since Barça suffered defeats in LaLiga against Madrid and Girona and in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk and Royal Antwerp.
Xavi has said in several press conferences that he believes the relationship with his players remains positive. After the loss to Madrid on Sunday, he said that he still believes in them and is convinced they can turn the season around.
Meanwhile, sporting director Deco stated that “it makes no sense” to question Xavi's future and added that the coach, who recently signed a new contract until 2025, maintains the club's support.
However, sources consulted by ESPN have not been so direct, admitting that there are doubts about Xavi's future beyond this season, despite this contract renewal.
That suggests confidence is waning, but Barca's financial fair play situation makes it difficult to sack Xavi and appoint a replacement, while there is also a lack of obvious candidates to turn to in the short term.
Sources added that if Xavi ends up leaving before the end of the season, Barça Atletic coach and former Mexican international Rafa Márquez is president Joan Laporta's preferred option to replace him on an interim basis.
Sunday's defeat against Madrid magnified Barça's poor performances in recent times, which have not always been punished in terms of results but have been criticized by the local media.
They are eight points behind LaLiga leader Girona, who have played one more game, and seven behind Madrid, which occupies second place.
However, they are still alive in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. They travel to third-division Unionistas de Salamanca in the Cup round of 16 on Thursday and face Napoli at the same stage in Europe next month.
Xavi, who spent more than 20 years as a player at Barca, took charge of the Catalan club in 2021 and led them to their first league title since 2019 last year in what was his first full season in charge.
