FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said on Wednesday that the day he doesn't feel he has the support of his players, he would leave his post.

Barcelona's coach Xavi reacts during his side's La Liga clash against Elche CF in Barcelona, Spain, on Dec. 18, 2021. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)

Xavi was speaking to the press ahead of Thursday's Copa del Rey tie away to Unionistas de Salamanca, which comes in the wake of his side's painful 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercup final. That defeat has made Xavi the center of criticism for his side's poor play in recent games and in his press conference, the coach was asked about his future.

"The day the players aren't behind me, I'll collect my things and leave," responded Xavi, who admitted his side was "affected" by Sunday's defeat, while insisting the players "believe in what we do."

Barca is seven points behind Real Madrid in La Liga and the Copa del Rey is probably its best chance of a title this season, but Xavi said the team was still on track to fulfil expectations.

"Last year they told me that we had to win the League and we did it. And we won the Super Cup, so we were above our objectives. And for this year the objective was to win titles and qualify for the Champions League round of 16. We can still do it," he commented, insisting Barca was "much closer to success than failure."

The Barca coach said his side was "evolving" and "we can still meet the objectives," however, he admitted the reality of football was that if Barca didn't fulfil their objectives for the season, he and his coaching staff would "go home."

"The moment they tell me I'm a problem, I'm already gone. The president (Joan Laporta), Deco (Director of Sport) and the players know it. The day they feel that I'm not contributing, I'll leave with no problem," he concluded.

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