Xavi 'p***** off' as Barca knocked out of Champions League with 'huge rebuild' needed

A 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich has seen the Spanish giants slip into the Europa League, and former Chelsea and Liverpool player Joe Cole says a 'huge rebuild' is in order to restore the club to its former glories.

Nou Camp legend Xavi was appointed manager of his former club in November and has realised in recent weeks the scale of the job he has on his hands.

Goals from Thomas Muller, Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala helped Bayern Munich to a 3-0 win over the Catalonians and in doing so sent the five time Champions League winners to the second tier of European football.

And it also prompted a furious response from the boss.

"We didn't compete," a fuming Xavi said after the match.

"I told the players that today was a new beginning, a turning point, that we couldn't afford to be in the Europa League.

"Barca don't deserve this. I don't like this reality that we're living. I am angry because this is now our reality, and it p***** me off.

"But we have to accept it, take it on, we've no other option.

"We have to change many things. We have to start from zero and work very hard to get Barca back to where we belong, which is not the Europa League."

Whilst he may not want to be competing in the Europa League - where they could face West Ham or Leicester City - Xavi admitted that Barca will try to win the competition.

"It's our reality and now we have to go and win it," he added. "This is Barca's goal, to win every game and win all the titles."

For every dark cloud there is a silver lining, and Cole believes Barca's current situation could be something to be happy about… as it'll spare their under-strength team from further embarrassment at the top level.

"This might be a good thing for Barcelona," the former Chelsea and Liverpool player said on BT Sport.

"Having Xavi at the helm, he'll quell any dissenters. It's a huge rebuild.

"I wouldn't say there are three players - outside the young players - they'd want to keep hold of.

"So they have to bring players in. As long as the fans understand where they are, we could see them back in two or three years.

"They simply can't compete in the Champions League with that group of players."