In a tension-filled press conference on Wednesday, Barcelona’s coach Xavi Hernandez confronted the mounting pressure with a resolute declaration. Following a demoralizing 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final, Hernandez candidly admitted he would step down from his position if he felt the squad’s belief in his leadership wavered. The statement underscores the current turmoil at Barcelona, a club grappling with defensive frailties and lagging eight points behind La Liga leader Girona.

“The day my players no longer follow me, I’ll pack my bags and leave,” Hernandez, the once-stellar Barca captain, pronounced with a tone of finality. This sentiment reflects the gravity of Barcelona’s predicament, a club traditionally known for its robust defense and cohesive team play. Follow your favourite La Liga team with attractive La Liga odds from Nextbet. 

However, the current season paints a starkly different picture, with the team conceding 22 goals halfway through, in sharp contrast to the mere 20 goals conceded throughout the entire previous season.

Hernandez’s tenure, which began in 2021 after his time as Al Sadd boss, has been a period of intense scrutiny and high expectations. Despite clinching the La Liga title last year, the heavy loss to arch-rival Real Madrid seems to have cast a long shadow over his achievements. “If I hadn’t won La Liga last year, I wouldn’t be here. When someone tells me there’s a problem, I’ll leave. I love this club. I’m here to bring something to it. If I don’t do it, I’ll go home,” Hernandez asserted, echoing his deep attachment to the club and his readiness to take decisive action if necessary.

In the face of adversity, Hernandez remains defiant and optimistic about the future. With important fixtures on the horizon, including a Copa del Rey clash against third-tier Unionistas and a Champions League encounter with Napoli, Hernandez is keen on steering Barcelona back to its winning ways. His confidence is palpable as he recalls the words of the club owners at the time of his signing, referring to it as “one of the worst moments in the club’s history.” Hernandez remains steadfast in his belief that the club is on the cusp of a turnaround. “And we’re in the process of changing things. I’m calm, I have three titles to win. I think we’re closer to success than failure,” he remarked, signaling his unwavering commitment to Barcelona’s resurgence.

As Barcelona navigates through this tumultuous period, the spotlight firmly rests on Hernandez. His future and the club’s fortunes seem inexorably intertwined, with each upcoming match potentially tipping the scale towards triumph or an abrupt farewell from a club legend. Get the latest updates from the La Liga only on Nextbet Sports.