Barcelona president offers support to Xavi after drop in form

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has rubbished rumours that Xavi Hernandez could be sacked as a result of the club's recent poor performances.

Speaking in an interview with TV3, the Barca president has come out in support of the under fire Xavi following a disappointing 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano at the weekend.

"We close ranks with the coach and his coaching staff," he said. "We have full confidence. I have always said that he is our coach and that we are with him. We have complete trust."

The draw with Vallecano was yet another off-colour outing for Barcelona during what has been a rather difficult month for the club.

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Since their defeat to Real Madrid at the end of October, Barca have dropped points in La Liga to Vallecano and lost a Champions League game to Shakhtar Donetsk. Even in games they've won, La Blaugrana have been notably unimpressive, with their performance in the win over Real Sociedad being labelled "unacceptable" by Xavi.

Despite said showings, Barcelona's higher-ups are seemingly fully behind Xavi - the manager who ended their four year wait for a La Liga title last season - with sporting director Deco also showing his support for the manager in a recent interview.

"He is the best coach for this project," Deco said. "He is the coach who agreed to come at an important moment to build what we are building. He has gone through many difficulties and continues to learn.

"Surely, he, more than anyone, wants to play better. He has been a midfielder, like me, and we always want to play well. Xavi knows the responsibility he has and knows that when we are not well, it is tough. Both for him and for everyone. He knows perfectly well what he has to do."

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