FC Barcelona legend, Xavi Hernandez, will not be joining the club as head coach – at least for another season- after signing a one-year contract extension with Qatari club, Al-Sadd.
The former Barça captain had been a hot tip to replace the under-pressure Quique Setien at Camp Nou but that speculation has now been effectively dismissed.
Xavi has spoken of his desire to train the Barça squad but the 40-year-old has now agreed to remain in Qatar for at least another season. Having masterminded successes for Al-Sadd in the Qatari Super Cup and Qatar Cup in his debut season, the former Spain midfielder is seemingly hungry for more trophies and has penned a contract extension with the club.
“I am happy that the squad is complete today after the return of the remaining first-team players, in preparation for this upcoming period and the resumption of the league championship,” Xavi told the club’s official website.
“I am happy to continue with Al-Sadd, and the team’s goal will always be to compete for all titles.”
Xavi’s side are third in a Stars League that will resume later this month after being halted due to the coronavirus pandemic. Al-Sadd trail leaders Al Duhail by 10 points, with only five matches to play.
The Barca legend recently stated that he will only return to the LaLiga champions when the time is right, having turned down the chance to replace former coach Ernesto Valverde in January.
“I’m a club man. I would like to return at the right moment to start a project from zero,” he was quoted as saying by Sport.
“I’ve said it a lot of times, but I want to take footballing decisions at Barcelona.
“It’s clear that after the [presidential] elections the stage would be set. “Of course, I’m not ruling anything out.
“They came for me in January, we were speaking. I told them the circumstances and timing weren’t right.”
