Xavi is finally all set for his dream job at Barcelona

After days of prolonged talks with Al Sadd, FC Barcelona have got their man as Xavi takes over as the club’s manager.

Xavi Hernandez is all set to replace Ronald Koeman as the new Barcelona manager.

Despite sending delegates, Rafael Yuste and Mateu Alemany, to handle talks in Qatar, things got off to a bumpy start. Al Sadd were simply unwilling to release Xavi at first. CEO, Turki Al-Ali, even made the club’s stance of their manager leaving abundantly clear on social media on Wednesday.

But after several more meetings, including face-to-face talks between the coach and Al Sadd’s owner, Barcelona have struck a deal with the Doha-based club after agreeing to pay his reported €5 million release clause.

Al Sadd said in an official club statement: “Club administration have approved the transfer of Xavi to Barcelona after the payment of the value of the penalty clause stipulated in his contract.

“Xavi is considered an important part of our history and we wish him every success in the future.”

تركي العلي : وافقت ادارة #السد على انتقال تشافي لبرشلونة بعد دفع قيمة الشرط الجزائي المنصوص في عقدة .. واتفقنا مع برشلونه على التعاون العملي مستقبلاً، تشافي يعتبر جزء مهم من تاريخ #السد ونتمنى له كل التوفيق في المرحلة القادمة.#السد #قطر pic.twitter.com/m1Fsv0It8i

— 🏆 #76 Al Sadd SC | نادي السد (@AlsaddSC) November 5, 2021

When could he make his debut?

The former midfielder wished to attend the trip to Celta Vigo in La Liga on Saturday, but that is unlikely. Interim boss Sergi Barjuan, who coaches the club’s B team, will instead remain in charge for this weekend. He’ll continue in the role until Barcelona officially confirm Xavi’s appointment.

Therefore, the 41-year-old is set to make his official debut as Barcelona manager in the Catalan derby against Espanyol on November 20 at Camp Nou once the international break ends.