Xavi wants to return to Barcelona.. Al Sadd is sticking to his coach

The Spanish coach of Qatar's Al Sadd club, Xavi Hernandez, revealed his aspiration to "return home" within "hours or maybe days", at a time when his former club Barcelona was conducting negotiations on Wednesday in Doha to restore him within the walls of the Catalan club. A delegation from Barcelona, ​​which was absent from President Joan Laporta, and included his deputy, Rafa Yusti, and sports director Matteo Alemani, landed in the Qatari capital on Wednesday evening, in an effort to negotiate a contract with Xavi as a coach to replace the Dutchman who was sacked due to poor results, Ronald Koeman.

"The two clubs are in talks and a solution must be found," said Xavi, 41, after the Al-Sadd match, which ended in a 3-3 draw with Al-Duhail in the Qatari league.

"I'm looking forward to coming home as you can imagine, but it's a matter of respect. I have a contract and both clubs have to agree. I'm very excited to come home and more than that to be Barcelona coach is a big responsibility, but I'm very excited."

The former Spanish midfielder added that there was a "small penalty clause" in his contract with Al-Sadd, and reports indicated that it was worth about five million euros ($5.8 million).

"I'm very positive, that's what I am, I've been very clear about what I want. I think it's hours, maybe days. They know where I stand, and I hope it will," Xavi continued.

An "excellent" relationship

On the other hand, Al Sadd had confirmed through its CEO Turki Al-Ali that the club was still committed to Xavi. During the Spanish delegation's attendance of the Al-Sadd and Al-Duhail match, Al-Sadd's account on Twitter quoted Al-Ali as saying that "the club's position is clear from the beginning, we are committed to our coach Xavi and we cannot neglect him at this sensitive time of the season." "We welcome the visit of the administrative delegation from FC Barcelona, ​​which is appreciated and respected," he stressed. For his part, Yusti told reporters present at the match stadium on Wednesday that club president Joan Laporta's failure to attend Doha "does not represent a problem for Al-Sadd Club," describing the relationship as "excellent", and praising the Al-Sadd administration's keenness to receive the Barcelona delegation at Hamad International Airport.

Yusti pointed out that "a meeting will be held with the management of Al Sadd Club after the match with Al Duhail ends, and the discussion will be completed in another meeting tomorrow morning." Xavi grew up in Barcelona since his childhood and carried his colors in 17 seasons in more than 750 matches, winning 25 titles with him between 1998 and 2015, before going to Qatar in 2015. After carrying the colors of Al-Sadd as a player for four seasons, he supervised his training and led him to the league title last season. And the Prince Cup title in the last two years.

“Sad” for Xavi’s departure, and

after the Al Sadd and Al Duhail match ended, Xavi embraced the members of the staff, the technician and the players in a scene that seemed to be a farewell. Al-Sadd's back Abdul Karim Hassan told the Qatari "Al-Kas" channel after the match, "Sad for the departure of Xavi, but we are happy for his transfer from Al-Sadd to a great team like Barcelona. Xavi presented a new idea to Qatari football, especially for us players of Al-Sadd Club. He has been criticized since he received the club, but you have seen his idea." The new football and his style. All teams suffered from this style."

Regarding what happened between Xavi and the players at the team meeting, Hassan added, "There is sadness for Xavi's departure, especially since he played with us and trained us and spent enjoyable and beautiful times and moments of sadness and joy. His departure will be influential."

In turn, Spanish Al Sadd player Santi Casorla said, "We wish the best for Xavi. I am grateful for everything he did for me. We must wait now and see what happens."

After a disappointing start in the Spanish League, where it occupies ninth place, Barcelona is currently supervised temporarily by its former full-back, Serge Barguan.

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