Barcelona are set to appoint club legend Xavi Hernandez as new manager following the decision to part with Ronald Koeman.
Although no official announcement has been made yet by Barca, Al Sadd already confirmed that Barca has paid the release clause and the deal is now in place.
Al Sadd also posted an emotional farewell video on their official Instagram page with the hashtag #thanksXavi
Koeman’s was sacked just after 14 months of appointment after Barca lost to Rayo Vallecano on October 27.
And now, Barca have turned to another club legend in the person of Xavi to help revive the club and take over the reins from interim boss Sergi Barjuan.
Al Sadd said in a club statement: “Club administration have approved the transfer of Xavi to Barcelona after the payment of the clause stipulated in his contract. Xavi is considered an important part of our history and we wish him every success in the future.”
Xavi is one of the most decorated players in Barca’s history, having won 25 trophies at Camp Nou between 1997 and 2015 including eight Liga titles and the Champions League.
Popular Italian Journalist, Fabrizio Romano has also confirmed the impending appointment with pictures of Xavi greeting his Al Sadd staff and players in an emotional farewell.
Xavi left Barca for Al Sadd in 2015 and retired after four years before becoming the head coach, delivering the league title just in his second season.
He would go on to win five more trophies with the Qatari club and now will return in an emotional homecoming.
He said: “I really want to go home. I hope it happens. I have a contract and now the clubs have to negotiate. They already know my position.”
The dream will now be fulfilled after Barca officials flew to Qatar to finalize the deal on Friday morning and Al Sadd confirmed Xavi’s exit.
