Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez to join FC Barcelona
It has been long in coming, but the much-awaited news was finally confirmed yesterday as Al Sadd announced the departure of their erstwhile manager Xavi Hernandez, who will be joining his former club FC Barcelona immediately as the new boss.
After Ronald Koeman's sacking from the Catalan club, all roads pointed at Xavi as the new boss, and the former Barcelona midfielder will be presented as the new Barça head coach on Monday.
When the Catalan coach arrived to play for Al-Sadd, he vowed to someday return to coach his beloved club after properly preparing for the role. He eventually took the manager's seat in Qatar and became a wildly successful coach for Al-Sadd. The current situation at FC Barcelona rushed his return, but Xavi always expressed his predisposition to take on this challenge.
FC Barcelona made the announcement at night, when the entire country was sleeping and when nobody expected an announcement. In fact, there were reports that the club was planning to announce Xavi later today and present him on Monday. But the situation took a wild turn at 01:47 on Saturday.
The former midfielder is set to sign a contract until the summer of 2024. President Joan Laporta was reportedly informed of the decision to make the announcement as soon as he landed on Vigo for the squad's La Liga match against Celta. He's been in constant communication with Rafa Yuste.
After six years away from the club that watched him become one of the best midfielders in history, he finally returns to keep helping his squad. Images of Xavi bidding farewell to his now-former pupils went viral.
The manager was spotted shedding tears for the successful period he lived during his spell with Al-Sadd. Xavi and Barcelona's lawyers have been penning the manager's new contract without taking a break. They decided not to make any announcements until they were finished.
Xavi, who left Qatar earlier today, is expected to attend Camp Nou on Monday with fans in the stands for his expected presentation as the new manager. Expectation has been running wild amongst FC Barcelona supporters who believed Xavi is the man who can take this squad back to the old glory days.
Xavi coached Al Sadd in 95 matches, winning 64, drawing 15 and 16 losses.
The Spanish coach led Al Sadd to the 2020-2021 QNB Stars League title, the 2020 and 2021 HH the Amir Cup titles, the 2020-2021 Qatar Cup title, and the 2019 Qatar Super Cup.
CEO of Al Sadd SC Turki Al Ali said that the club's management has agreed to the transfer of head coach Xavi Hernandez to Barcelona after the payment of the release clause stipulated in the contract.
In a statement via the club's website, Al Ali said, "Xavi is an important part of Al Sadd's history, and we wish him success in the next stage of his career."
"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. Xavi and his family will remain welcome in Doha, and our relationship will continue," he added.
Due to a confidentiality agreement, FC Barcelona won't disclose further details about the deal they struck with Al-Sadd until Monday.
Barcelona welcomed Xavi through social media with open arms. A new era begins under his command.
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