Al Sadd have officially agreed on the transfer of Xavi Hernandez to Barcelona as their head Coach after parting ways with their former gaffer Ronald Koeman after suffering a defeat to minnows Rayo Vallecano last week in a bid to turn the crisis-hit club’s fortunes around.
Al-Sadd said in a statement on their official Twitter account on Friday morning: ‘The administration agreed on the transfer of Xavi to Barcelona after paying the penalty clause stipulated in the contract.
“We agreed with Barcelona on practical cooperation in the future, Xavi is an important part of the history. We wish him all success in the next stage”.
The 41 year Spanish tactician, who won 8 Laliga titles, 4 Champions League trophies, 3 Copa del Rey, 2 Club World Cup, 2 UEFA Super Cup and 6 Spanish Cup, scoring 85 goals in 767 appearances is set to join the Nou Camp after leaving in 2015 as a player following 17 years of extraordinary performance.
Barcelona are in an unprecedented crisis, owing over £1billion due to the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic, as a result losing their talisman Lionel Messi to PSG in the summer as they were unable to pay his wages and they are in a desperate state on the pitch, with miserable players, forced to take pay cuts, limping from one bad result to another at home and in Europe under Koeman.
Barca will hope that Xavi can follow in the footsteps of another club legend turned rookie boss who they entrusted with the reins in the recent past – Pep Guardiola.