Barça Will Wait: Xavi Continues as Qatari Al-Sadd's Gaffer

FC Barcelona fans are eager to see a change in their club’s managerial personage, Quique Setien is failing to make a positive impact at the Camp Nou.

Xavi Hernandez and the management of Al-Sadd, Qatar’s leading football club (Photo: Al-Sadd Official Website)

Xavi Hernandez and the management of Al-Sadd, Qatar’s leading football club (Photo: Al-Sadd Official Website)

One of the names that attracted attention regarding the Barça coach position was club legend and ex-player, Xavi Hernandez, who is the coach of Qatari powerhouse, Al-Sadd. Today, it has been cleared that Xavi is not going back to his hometown any time soon.

In an official announcement by the club today (Sunday), they noted that “Al Sadd Sports Club officially announces the renewal of Xavi Hernandez’s contract to continue as the head coach of the first team for an additional season in 2020/2021”.

Although his form as Qatar’s best club coach wasn’t outstanding, Xavi has led the Wolves from the start of the 2019-20 season, winning the Super Cup and Qatar Cup titles.

Before taking the helm at the White Knights, Xavi played for four seasons passing almost 70 assists. During this period he was in close relations with Felix Sanchez, Qatar national team coach, and gained more coaching experience.

“I am happy that the squad is complete today after the return of the remaining first-team players, in preparation for restarting of the Qatari league”, Xavi Said.

“I am happy to continue with Al-Sadd, and the team’s goal will always be to compete for all titles.”
After securing the services of the 40-year-old coach, Al-Sadd fans want to see the club also committing Akram Afif’s future to the white shirt.

“Happy to continue with Al-Sadd”. Xavi Hernandez (Photo: Al-Sadd Official Website)

“Happy to continue with Al-Sadd”. Xavi Hernandez (Photo: Al-Sadd Official Website)

While Middle Eastern football fans can rejoice with this step by the Spanish magician, Barcelona fans are seeing it as another proof for the mediocrity of the current management of their club. Jose Maria Bartomeu has already lost control with the organization and the atmosphere at the Catalan giants’ corridors, is toxic, to say the least.

Xavi was ana immediate candidate to coach Barcelona after the sacking of Ernesto Valverde in the winter, yet has expressed his undesire to take over the team in the middle of the season, with things in the club and the dressing room are in a state of chaos.

Different sources claimed that the Catalan aspiring coach is maybe waiting for the whole scene to shuffle and that he would like to guide the first team when the current management is out, and the entire club is prepared for the post-Lionel Messi era.

Other rumours declare that Xavi is connected with Víctor Font i Manté, a leading candidate to replace Bartomeu next year. In this case, the fact that the coach has renewed his contract in one season only, hints on his true intentions regarding his boyhood club manager position.