Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has insisted that he’ll leave the club “the day the players no longer follow him” after a disappointing first half of the 2023/24 season.

Barca won their first La Liga title in four years during Xavi’s first full season in charge, however the club have struggled to keep pace with Real Madrid and surprise league leaders Girona this season – Barca currently sit in fourth place, eight points adrift of top spot.

Their disappointing campaign hit a nadir this past week, with Xavi’s side being thumped 4-1 in the Supercopa de Espana final by arch rivals Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia.

The harrowing defeat has since led to reports suggesting that there is ‘growing discontent’ among the playing staff at the club, with players now said to be questioning the tactical approach of Xavi.

Speaking to the press ahead of his side’s Copa del Rey clash with third division outfit Unionistas de Salamanca, Xavi insisted that he would leave the club if the reports of player discontent were true.

“The day my players no longer follow me, I’ll pack my bags and leave,” said Xavi. “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.

“In my first season, the objective was to finish in the top four; we came second. Last year, it was to win La Liga; we won it. This year, it is to win a trophy. We have lost the Super Cup and I apologised for the manner of the performance, but we still have three trophies to play for. If we don’t meet objectives, I will be the first to go.”

Xavi was also keen to explain that Barcelona are currently still undergoing a rebuilding process after financial difficulties stripped the club of their all-time top goalscorer Lionel Messi.

“Madrid were in our position last year and they turned things around and won the Copa,” he continued. “When I was in Qatar and Barca came to appoint me, they told me the club was in one of the worst moments in its history. We are revitalising [the club].

“We are closer to success than defeat. I understand the criticism, I know where I am, but I have the same desire as day one. I will never be a problem for Barca. The moment they say I am a problem, I will be gone.

“Above all, I am a fan. I love this club. I will never be a problem, the president [Joan Laporta], Deco [sporting director], the players… everyone knows that.”