By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
FC Barcelona has officially responded to intense media speculation linking the basketball section to alternative coaching candidates.
The club issued a firm clarification on Friday, following widespread reports suggesting the Catalan powerhouse was aggressively eyeing Unicaja head coach Ibon Navarro as a potential replacement plan.
Barca categorically denied holding any meetings or negotiations with other tactical minds, effectively shutting down rumors. Management firmly reiterated that they are entirely focused on a singular vision, prioritizing the continuation of their current project without considering outside alternatives for the immediate future.
To reinforce this unified stance, the organization pointed directly to public assurances made by general manager, Juan Carlos Navarro, who previously expressed absolute confidence in the current leadership structure, explicitly stating that he does not envision a future for the team without Xavi Pascual guiding the roster.
𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐅𝐂 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐚.https://t.co/n1j4qlQf3I
— Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) May 15, 2026
The storied club explicitly clarified that it is only considering the figure of 53-year-old Pascual to lead the project currently being worked on jointly.
This administrative reassurance arrives during a critical stretch of the 2025-26 domestic schedule. After finishing the EuroLeague Regular Season in 9th place with a 21-17 record, their continental campaign subsequently ended when they were knocked out of the Playoffs by AS Monaco in the Play-In Showdown. Pascual’s side continues to fight for silverware on the home front, down the stretch of the Liga Endesa Regular Season, currently holding a 22-9 record, which puts them in a tie for second place. The squad remains locked in a fierce battle for postseason positioning with just three games left on the schedule before the Playoffs begin.