Barcelona chief Deco says coach Xavi has their full backing.

Deco insists the team's recent stumbles have not changed the board's opinion of Xavi.

He told Efe: "I hope his project is long, that we are at the beginning, not in the middle. From the beginning, whenever I was with the president (Joan Laporta) I strongly defended the arrival of Xavi, because Barça needed to rebuild itself with people who know the club.

"He has the ability and tranquility to be able to do it.

"A very important league has been won and a team for the present and future is being created, and that is the way. We all know that it is important that results arrive and we also want to play good football, but I believe that Xavi has all the elements to do well."