Xavi faced opposition from Barcelona players.

Spain: Some players were frustrated with the decisions and questioned Xavi's approach to the game.

According to ESPN on January 17th, some Barcelona players are unhappy with Xavi. They question his approach to the game and his decision-making. A portion of the team is also dissatisfied with Xavi's coaching methods, although the 43-year-old coach believes he still has the full support of his players.

According to ESPN , the conflict began after the 3-2 victory against Almeria in December 2023. During halftime of that match, Xavi gave a harsh speech that displeased some players.

Xavi removes his silver medal after the Spanish Super Cup final, where Barca lost to Real 1-4 on January 14th in Saudi Arabia. (Photo: EFE) — Xavi removes his silver medal after the Spanish Super Cup final, where Barca lost to Real 1-4 on January 14th in Saudi Arabia. (Photo: *EFE)*

Despite losing some of the team's trust, Xavi still received support from President Joan Laporta and Sporting Director Deco. After the Spanish Super Cup final, where Barca lost 1-4 to Real, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola also offered encouragement: "I want to send my unconditional support to Xavi and the players. The players have to move forward. They have shown quality in the past and have a long way to go this season. Barça lost a final, okay, congratulations to the opponent and now learn from it. Real scored quickly, defended well and played better, that's all."

Xavi began managing Barca in November 2021, when the team had dropped to ninth place in La Liga. In the latter half of the season, he helped Barca revive their fortunes, finishing second. In the 2022-2023 season, Xavi continued to impress, winning both La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup.

However, Barca's progress has begun to stall this season. They are currently third in La Liga with 41 points after 19 matches, seven points behind Real Madrid, having lost 1-2 to Real Madrid at home in La Liga and 1-4 in the Spanish Super Cup final. For Barca fans, the only optimistic sign comes from the Champions League, where the team advanced beyond the group stage for the first time in three years.

Besides their declining form, Barca also faced financial difficulties. During the 2023 summer transfer window, they had to sell Ousmane Dembele, Franck Kessie, and several other players to raise $85 million in order to balance their budget as required by La Liga. Meanwhile, Xavi could only bring in a few new players on free transfers, except for Oriol Romeu, who was bought for four million.

Xavi has a contract with Barca until 2025. Due to financial constraints, Barca is unlikely to be able to sack him unless Xavi agrees to resign without compensation.

Thanh Quy (according to ESPN )

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