Xavi To Be Announced New Barcelona Coach, As Valverde Face Sack
Former Barcelona player, Xavi Hernandez will be announced as FC Barcelona ’s new coach Monday, all things sorted out, as Ernesto Valverde simultaneously gets the sack, Bestchoicesports.com.ng understands
The Al Sadd coach played at Camp Nou as recently as 2015, after a legendary career in which he won everything for club and country.
BeIn Sports reports that Xavi will certainly take over the reigns, and it is just a matter of the details being revealed.
It is understood that Al Sadd will not block Xavi’s path, but do request that he stay until Friday to manage the Qatar club’s upcoming cup final. Barcelona play their next match the following Sunday.
He was in the running to become Paris Saint-Germain’s coach should Thomas Tuchel have left.
The Spanish radio network also says Xavi’s representatives are in Saudi Arabia writing up the contract for him to join Barcelona.
Xavi Hernandez has said it is his dream to coach Barcelona and confirmed he met club officials amid reports he could be set to take over from under-pressure coach Ernesto Valverde.
Xavi is Barca’s all-time leading appearance maker, lifted 25 trophies in a 17-year career with the club, and has been linked with a return to the Catalans since they were beaten 3-2 by Atletico Madrid to exit the Spanish Super Cup on Thursday.
That loss, which came after a surprise 2-2 league draw at struggling Espanyol, has heaped pressure on coach Ernesto Valverde with AS reporting Xavi has been offered a contract to take over from the 55-year-old.
Xavi confirmed media reports that he had spoken to Barca’s sporting director Eric Abidal and chief executive Oscar Grau over the weekend and although he did not give details of the meeting, he acknowledged that he would love to take charge of his former side one day.
Ernesto Valverde is under increasing pressure as manager of Barcelona
“I cannot say anything, they were here to talk to me and we discussed many things. Sorry I cannot give any more information,” Xavi told a news conference after his side beat Al Rayyan on Saturday to reach the final of the Prince’s Cup.
“I cannot hide it’s my dream to coach Barcelona, I’ve said it many times in many interviews, everyone knows I support Barcelona from the bottom of my heart.
“But I’m doing my job here, I’m doing my best. I was focused on the semi-final and now I’m focusing on the final.”