Barcelona staff once again in doubt over Xavi’s continuity

Just ten days after Barcelona confidently announced Xavi Hernandez’s prolonged stay in Catalonia, a wave of uncertainty has engulfed the club once more.

This comes on the back of a fresh 4-2 defeat at the hands of local rivals Girona – a result that notably helped Real Madrid secure the league title. This loss also plunged Barcelona into third place in La Liga.

The season’s aspirations of Champions League glory, Copa del Rey success, and the Spanish Super Cup have already evaporated. Now, even securing second place – and the accompanying Super Cup berth in Saudi Arabia – seems precarious.

Doubts about Xavi kicking back in

According to Diario AS, this precarious situation has reignited anxieties about Xavi’s leadership.

Earlier this year, talk of a “reset” in January was interpreted by many as a veiled resignation contingent on failing to win trophies. Then, on January 27th, Xavi announced his actual departure.

Barcelona’s trust in Xavi appears to be fading once again (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

However, a dramatic turnaround occurred on April 24th. Following two swift meetings – one with Deco and another at President Laporta’s residence – Xavi’s continuity was unexpectedly confirmed.

Laporta claimed to be “convinced” by Xavi, while Enric Masip, the deputy president, acknowledged lingering doubts within the sporting commission despite the final decision.

Now, with the Girona defeat casting a long shadow, those doubts appear to be resurfacing within the Barcelona staff.

The Girona debacle effectively throws away millions of euros in potential revenue from the Club World Cup and potentially the Spanish Super Cup. These financial setbacks come on top of the sporting failures of the season.

Shortly after the defeat to Girona, the club’s president Joan Laporta was furious and ‘screaming uncontrollably’. The question that stands now is whether or not Laporta’s faith in Xavi can withstand this latest setback.