al sadd - 626Blaze

Barcelona appoint Xavi as new head coach

The Catalan giants welcomed their legendary midfielder back as head coach after sacking Ronald Koeman due to consecutive bad results.

Barcelona got the go ahead from Al Sadd to start talks with Xavi who has been with the Qatar side since 2019 aftter they paid the buyout clause in his contract.

“FC Barcelona have reached an agreement with Xavi Hernandez for him to become first team coach for the rest of the current season and two more seasons,” the club said in a statement that was headlined “WELCOME BACK HOME, XAVI!”

Barca welcomed the midfielder who played for 17 years and made 767 appearances winning 25 trophies, including four Champions League wins and eight league titles.

Xavi shared a video after the news was confirmed saying ; “It wasn’t goodbye, it was ‘see you soon’. The Camp Nou has always been my home,” Xavi said in a video addressed to the fans. You’re my fans, my people, the club that I love the most. And now, I’m coming home. See you soon, Culers. Forca Barca!”

Xavi will be unveiled on Monday before his managerial career starts at the club November 20 after the international break.

Barcelona sack Ronald Koeman

The club sacked the Dutchman after the team lost at Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday. Barcelona is presently 9th on the La Liga table, winning just four out of their opening 10 games and they are struggling in the Champions League.

a statement from the club reads;

“FC Barcelona has dismissed Ronald Koeman tonight as coach of the first team, Club president Joan Laporta informed him of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano. Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad this Thursday at the Ciudad Deportiva. FC Barcelona wishes to thank him for his service to the club and wishes him all the best in his professional career.”

The club directors have reportedly contacted former player Xavi who is the present coach of Al Sadd in Qatar but they have to pay his buyout clause to get him.