Will Xavi Hernandez Resign After Barcelona Defeat To Athletic Club?

Xavi Hernandez, the head coach of FC Barcelona, talked about maybe resigning after the Catalans’ 4-2 quarterfinal loss to Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.

At San Mames, Barca had a terrible start as Gorka Guruzeta’s goal put them behind 1-0 in less than a minute.

The visitors took a 2-1 lead after goals from Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski six minutes apart after the half-hour mark. However, an equalizing goal by Oihan Sancet on minute 49 prompted extra time, which opened the door for both Williams brothers to sink Barcelona and terminate what may have been their last genuine chance to win anything this season. Speaking on the subject previously, Xavi declared a week ago at a news conference that he would quit if the goals of winning major trophies weren’t achieved.

When questioned about it again in Bilbao after the final whistle, he restated his earlier position with a new perspective.

“I say it again now: if we are not at a competitive level at the end of the season, I will leave,” the club legend vowed.

Though his team is currently full of youngsters and recent La Masia academy graduates like Lamine, Hector Fort, and Pau Cubarsi—all of whom he named by name and singled out for having a “great game”—Xavi still believes his team is competitive for the time being.

“When I say that we are under construction it is this: it is the beginning of something important. [The start] of an important generation, whether I am the coach or not. Barca has a future,” Xavi insisted.

“On the one hand I am sad about the result, but on the other hand I am proud of the performance of the young players.”

“We have competed very well against a great team that is very strong at home. I already said that the [quarterfinal] draw wasn’t good,” Xavi also said.

“They are very intense, it is very difficult [to play against them]. We have to rebuild ourselves and compete in La Liga and the Champions,” He insisted, saying that Barca will play their first home game at the Montjuic Stadium in 2024 when they hosted Villarreal on Saturday.