Barça's Xavi: When I see that I am not the solution, I will head home

Xavi Hernandez says he will step aside if he sees he is not capable of restoring glory to Barcelona.

The Barça coach has hit the first bump in his tenure after Champions League results against Bayern Munich and Inter Milan left the Blaugrana on the verge of dropping into the Europa League again.

However, he insists he remains optimistic ahead of a huge game in LaLiga this weekend away against Real Madrid.

"We have improved since we took over the team," he told a press conference. "In terms of results, it's a shame the dip against Inter, because we were doing well.

"We are top of LaLiga, haven't lost and the season so far gives me reasons to be optimistic. When I don't feel I can provide the solutions, I will step aside and go home. I will not be a problem for Barca. But at the moment I am optimistic."

Xavi says he understands the reaction and criticism to Wednesday's draw against Inter, who now need just three points from two games against Viktoria Plzen and Bayern to condemn Barça to Europa League football.  

"I understand it, I know where I am," Xavi added. "At the end of the day, we slipped up [vs. Inter] when we could not slip up. If there's one thing I have it's empathy and I understand the fans are sad and disappointed. I am as well.

"We didn't do enough to win but we have to be positive and turn the situation around. We can do it. When I don't think that's possible, I will tell you, but seeing the squad, the signings... It's early to draw conclusions even if we are failing in Europe."  

Finally, asked about if he prefers facing Madrid as a player or a coach, he gave a remarkably honest answer.

"There is no comparison between playing and being a coach," Xavi explained. "It's much more enjoyable as a player. Being the coach of Barça is a thankless task. It's better to be a player than a coach."