Barcelona have been enduring a difficult 2023/24 season, failing to build on the success of their 2022/23 campaign in which they returned to the summit of LaLiga as champions.
Not only are Barça third in the league and seemingly out of the title race against Real Madrid, but they also recently drew 1-1 to a dysfunctional Napoli side in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 clash.
As Xavi prepares to leave this summer for the next man to take his place as Barcelona manager, the iconic midfielder must deal with an annoyance within his own locker room.
Per a report from Javi Miguel of Diario AS, Xavi has been holding team meetings with Barcelona players alone in the locker room without any of his assistant coaches. There is a belief within the club that an assistant is leaking information to the media.
It’s a little ironic when a media member reports that there is a leak within the locker room, but it’s a pretty common situation in football.
Who can forget the infamous “mole” in the Real Madrid dressing room under José Mourinho and the Iker Casillas inquest?
Barcelona’s situation is far less dramatic, but it’s still yet another unnecessary wrinkle in a season full of discord and strife, including the drama surrounding star midfielder Frenkie de Jong’s future and questionable wage demands.
De Jong was one of the players reportedly openly critical of Xavi within the Barcelona locker room, as was star striker Robert Lewandowski.
Both players were vital to the Blaugrana hoisting the league title last year, yet they face uncertain futures.
Yet it isn’t a player leaking information to the press, but rather a member of the coaching staff. From the front office and fanbase’s perspective, that’s all the more reason to get rid of everyone and clean house with a new manager.
You can already see the Barcelona fans clamoring for someone who can keep a tighter lid on things, namely former Bayern Munich treble winner Hansi Flick.
Former editor of The Real Champs and Old Juve, covering Real Madrid and Juventus
