"We have been talking about my future since July when Barca lost to Arsenal in a friendly," Xavi said at a press conference on January 26 ahead of the match against Villarreal in round 22 of La Liga. "I am calm, we are doing a good job. I live in a different reality than the media. I see the rumors and that is not a problem. If we beat Bilbao in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, you will say Barca is coming back."

Barca started the pre-season with a 3-5 loss to Arsenal in the US on July 26, 2023. In this match, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Ferran Torres scored for Barca while Arsenal's goals were scored by Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Fabio Vieira and a double from Leandro Trossard. After that, Barca achieved positive results when they beat Real Madrid 3-0, AC Milan 1-0 and Tottenham 4-2.

Xavi is under pressure after Barca lost two trophies in two weeks. The Catalan club lost 1-4 to Real in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia on January 14 and then lost 2-4 to Bilbao in extra time in midweek.

He admitted that he was about to leave Barca and cited his predecessors as evidence. "I am at risk of being fired by Barca and I don't have much time left," the 44-year-old coach said. "Pep Guardiola only led Barca for four years, while Luis Enrique was here for three years. There will come a time when I leave the club, don't worry."

Xavi reiterated that he would resign if Barca were not competing for trophies by the end of the season. The Spanish coach also criticised fans and the media for suggesting that Barca members only receive respect when they are about to leave the team. "Now they appreciate Ernesto Ernesto, Ronald Koeman, Sergio Busquets and even Jordi Alba, who has been criticised a lot in the last years," he said. "That's something to think about. I hope you remember me too. I'm happy, I know the demands at Barca are very high and I appreciate everything."

Defeats in the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey mean Barca's chances of winning La Liga and the Champions League are limited. The Catalan club are eight points behind leaders Girona in La Liga and will face Serie A champions Napoli in the last 16 of the Champions League. "I always think positively," Xavi said of the team's chances of competing. "We can get back into the title race in La Liga and we are confident of going far in the Champions League. The club trusts me, we are proud of the project. But the most important thing is the result and the victory."

Barca were hit by a hamstring injury in the defeat to Bilbao and are likely to miss the rest of the season. Xavi said Balde will have to decide whether to undergo surgery or seek other treatment in the coming days after consulting with the medical team. Barca are also without Gavi, Marcos Alonso, Inigo Martinez, Raphinha and Marc-Andre ter Stegen - the German goalkeeper returned to training this week after two months out with injury.

Hong Duy