Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández has this evening dropped a fresh hint regarding his future with the club.
The subject of Xavi’s place on the bench in Catalunya has of course returned to the fore in a major way late on Wednesday.
This comes amid fresh calls for the Spanish tactician to be sent on his way by the Blaugrana brass.
Barca marked their return to action a short time ago, making the trip to San Sebastian for a Copa del Rey quarter-final meeting with Athletic Club.
After a morale-boosting victory over Real Betis last time out, though, on this occasion Xavi and co. were brought crashing back down to earth.
This came by way of an eventual 4-2 extra-time defeat.
A full eight points off the title pace in La Liga, and looking outsiders at best in the Champions League, Barcelona, as a result, tonight likely waved goodbye to their final shot at silverware this season.
Speaking to the media post-match, the subject of his future was therefore unsurprisingly put to the under-fire Xavi once more.
And the Spanish tactician was blunt as could be in his response, hinting that he is ready to pack his bags, in the case of the Catalans not reaching a ‘competitive level’ by the season’s close:
“If at the end of the season we are not at a competitive level… I will have to leave. I know where I am, it’s a top club. Here at Barça you need to win titles or you will be at risk.”
He added:
“I’m convinced the project here has top potential with top young players.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
