Barcelona head coach Xavi has dismissed suggestions that he is losing the support of the dressing room at Camp Nou.
The Catalan outfit suffered a 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the final of the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday evening, while the reigning La Liga champions are currently fourth in Spain's top flight, eight points off the leaders Girona.
According to ESPN, Xavi is fighting to keep the players onside at a key stage of the campaign, with many 'losing faith in him'.
The report claims that 'several players' have been 'questioning the team's approach', but speaking ahead of Thursday's Copa del Rey last-16 clash with Unionistas, the head coach insisted that he is being backed.
"The days they are not with me, I will take my things and go home. We're in a bad way. Defeats against Madrid are heavy and hard to digest. But we have always believed in what we do. From tomorrow we want to do it in the best possible way," he told reporters during Wednesday's press conference.
Xavi also said that he has spoken to the club's president Joan Laporta since the defeat in El Clasico.
"We had contact. Calmness. We are in good spirits and there are three titles left, the most important ones. Faith and confidence in the staff and players. The president is always positive. He is happy. One title has been lost but there are three at stake," he added.
"I have said it from day one. I'm here as coach because the objectives have been met. They come to Qatar and tell me that the objective is to finish in the top four: we came second. Last year, the objective was to win the league, and we won the league and the Super Cup.
"This year, to win titles. We lost the Super Cup and I have already apologised. Qualifying for the last 16 was an objective, and we have it. The objective is to win the Cup, the league, and the Champions League. If the objectives are not met, like all coaches.... that's the reality of the club.
"The players tell me to cheer up because this goes on. There are three titles left. We didn't compete well in the final. We have to take heart. Madrid were where we were last year, we reversed the situation and won a title.
"I have always explained the objectives to you. There are three live ones: Cup, League and Champions League. The first was to qualify for the last 16. Last year, the league and that was achieved. The objectives have been met. If they are not met, I will go home.
"I've already said it. It's the pressure of being at Barca and the expectations that are generated. This is about winning. If you take Luis Aragones's 'win, win, win, win and win again', this is it.
"I will never be a problem for Barca. Above all, I'm a Cule and I love this club. Whatever happens. I am here to add and to help. When they tell me that I don't contribute, I'll go home without any problems."
Barcelona will be aiming to secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey with a victory over Unionistas before switching their attention back to La Liga, heading to Real Betis on Sunday for what will be their first league game since January 4. body check tags ::
