Barcelona boss Xavi understands that "there will be consequences" if he is unable to lead the Catalan outfit through a difficult stage of the campaign.
The La Liga giants face an uphill task to qualify for the last-16 stage of the Champions League after taking just one point from their last two fixtures against Inter Milan, which has left them third in the section, three points behind the Italian outfit, who are in pole position to join Bayern Munich in the next round from Group C.
Barcelona also suffered a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in El Clasico on Sunday, with the result allowing the reigning champions to move three points clear at the top of the La Liga table, and Carlo Ancelotti's side would open up a six-point advantage if they are able to beat Elche on Wednesday night.
The club's president Joan Laporta recently insisted that Xavi still has the full support of senior figures at Camp Nou.
However, the legendary former midfielder accepts that his role as head coach is under threat, and he would "understand" if a change was made if he was unable to navigate the team through a tough period.
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"I have to be honest with the club, the players, the environment and the partners. I think we have made a team to achieve success. I think so. I take responsibility and criticism. From there, work," Xavi told reporters ahead of Thursday's La Liga clash with Villarreal.
"At Barca there are no transition years. We are obliged to compete. The club has made an effort. If successes are not achieved, as the president said, there will be consequences. Also for me. I don't want to look for excuses. We are all guilty, from the coach to the players. I try to accept this situation naturally.
"I would understand at any time (if he were sacked). This is the life of a coach. People on the street encourage me. Positivity, this is football. We have to continue. A defeat at the Bernabeu cannot stop us. If we stay out of the Champions It will be time to face reality. I'm always positive.
"I'm a calm person. I'm restless because I want things to work out and I'm very culé. Nothing is going to stop me. I'll keep working to change things. It's not easy, but I'll give it my all. I'll work to make it clear to the players that the goal remains to win titles."
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Xavi remains confident that Barcelona have a squad capable of 'fighting for titles', but he has demanded improvement at a key stage of the campaign.
"We started the season well, but now we are not as good as before. We have to go step by step. Despite losing at the Bernabeu, we are three points behind the leader. We cannot stop, the season is very long. We have to improve, that's the path to success. Success and failure are separated by a fine line," he added.
"We have to fight for the titles. I keep thinking about it. We have a squad to win titles."
Villarreal are currently seventh in Spain's top flight, and the Yellow Submarine have won three of their last four matches in all competitions, including a 2-0 success over Osasuna in the league on Monday.
"We expect a difficult opponent, we admire them, they can defend with several players and they can press players, [Unai] Emery is a great coach and they only conceded three goals and they are a physical team," said Xavi when asked about the threat from Thursday's opponents.
Barcelona will also take on Athletic Bilbao and Bayern Munich at Camp Nou on October 23 and October 26 respectively before finishing the month away to Valencia.
Matt Law
