Sid Lowe says a pinnacle-4 end ought to be Barcelona's fundamental goal following Ronald Koeman's departure. (1:08)
Al Sadd announced on Friday that Xavi Hernandez will leave to go back to Barcelona as their new train following the dismissal of Ronald Koeman.
Sources told ESPN that Barca have paid Xavi's €5 million launch clause and the forty one-year-old will go back to the club after six years with Al Sadd, first as a player before taking over as supervisor in 2019.
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Al Sadd released a statement confirming the pass on Friday morning. Barcelona are yet to formally announce the deal but are predicted to achieve this later in the day.
"The Al Sadd management has agreed on Xavi's circulate to Barcelona after the fee of the discharge clause stipulated in the contract," an Al Sadd announcement examine. "We have agreed on cooperation with Barcelona inside the future.
"Xavi is an crucial part of Al-Sadd's records and we want him fulfillment. Xavi knowledgeable us some days ago of his choice to go to Barcelona at this unique time, because of the critical degree his homeland club goes via, and we recognize this and determined no longer to face in his manner."
The former Barca and Spain midfielder will formally take over after the November international damage. Interim instruct Sergi Barjuan will stay in fee for Saturday's match at Celta Vigo, with Xavi's first game set to be the Catalan derby in opposition to Espanyol at Camp Nou on Nov. 20.
Barca vp Rafa Yuste and director of soccer Mateu Alemany travelled to Qatar this week to shut the deal, with negotiations accelerating with Al Sadd after Wednesday's three-3 draw with Al-Duhail. Xavi stated goodbye to the Al Sadd gamers after that recreation before imploring the two clubs to "come to an agreement" given his desire to go back to Barca.
Koeman turned into fired ultimate week after a 1-0 defeat to newly-promoted Rayo Vallecano (circulation the replay on ESPN+ in the U.S.) left Barca ninth in the league table. The loss changed into Barca's third in their remaining 4 LaLiga fits, at the same time as they had received simply considered one of their first three Champions League furniture, losing 3-zero against Bayern Munich and Benfica, before this week's win over Dynamo Kiev.