Xavi to take over as Barça head coach after deal with Al Sadd
Sports Desk, Nov 5 (EFE).- Xavi Hernández is poised to take over as FC Barcelona’s new head coach after the club paid a buyout clause to Al Sadd, the Qatari club announced Friday.
Barça legend Xavi will replace Ronald Koeman, who was sacked at the end of October following a raft of poor results that left the Catalan giants sitting 9th in LaLiga.
Turk Al-Ali, CEO of Al Sadd, where Xavi finished his playing career before becoming the manager, said: “The Al Sadd administration has agreed on Xavi’s move to Barcelona after the payment of the release clause stipulated in the contract.”
“Xavi is an important part of Al-Sadd’s history and we wish him success.”
“Xavi informed us a few days ago of his desire to go to Barcelona at this particular time, because of the critical stage his hometown club is going through, and we understand this and decided not to stand in his way,” the statement added.
Xavi faces a tough challenge ahead as debt-laden Barcelona struggle to steady the ship following the departure of heavyweights including Lionel Messi due to the club’s financial woes.
The 41-year-old came through Barcelona’s youth system and debuted with the first team in 1998. He remained at Barça until 2015, during which time he proved himself to be one of the best midfielders in the game, winning eight LaLiga titles and four Champions League trophies.
He spent the latter stage of his career with Al Sadd, first as a player and then as manager from 2019. EFE
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