As per reports, former FC Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez will be the next manager at the club. The Spaniard was already in talks over joining the club as Ronald Koeman’s successor.
Koeman’s exit came after Barca’s 1-0 defeat against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday. The club had also lost 2-1 to rivals Real Madrid in their El Clasico. As a result, after the Vallecano defeat, an emergency meeting with Joan Laporta and the club saw the Dutchman’s much-awaited exit.
The 58-yrs-old manager was already in speculations of leaving the club with Xavi expected to take the job.
Xavi will take over at FC Barcelona from Al Sadd
Ever since the Dutchman took charge as Barca manager, his methods and results have been questioned by fans. The 2020/21 season Copa del Rey title also didn’t give the fans optimism because of his inconsistencies. Both Barca and Koeman have been disappointments in La Liga and Champions League this season.
Xavi has always been the number one target at Camp Nou, and the club’s former midfielder has now agreed to take on the role. He is currently the manager at Qatari club, Al Sadd.
However, the move to Barcelona will be delayed until the Catalan outfit’s negotiation over his release from Al Sadd is confirmed. Barcelona are in talks with the Qatari club over Xavi’s release. Speculations say that Barca have to pay a fee in the region of £850,000 for his release. The Spanish club is already preparing paper works and contracts to appoint Xavi.
Barcelona B coach Sergi Barjuan will take charge of the first team on an interim basis, with games against Alaves and Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League. Xavi will take charge of his first Barca game against Celta Vigo on the 6th of November.
While some fear that he might turn out like Andrea Pirlo at Juventus, too rushed and inexperienced, there are also others who believe he can be the next Zinedine Zidane at Madrid.
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