(FILES) In this file photo taken on October 01, 2019 Sadd's coach Xavi Hernandez reacts after a goal during the first leg of the AFC Champions League semi-finals football match between Qatar's Al Sadd and Saudi' Al Hilal at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in the Qatari capital Doha. - Barcelona are set to announce Xavi Hernandez's dramatic return to the club as coach, after Al Sadd confirmed on November 5, 2021 a deal has been agreed between the clubs. Al Sadd said in a statement Barca have paid the release clause for Xavi, who has been coaching in Qatar since 2019 and now rejoins the club where he enjoyed such incredible success as a player. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)
Barcelona have named former midfielder and captain Xavi Hernandez as head coach on a contract until 2024, following the sacking of Ronald Koeman.
The La Liga club received the green light on Friday to sign the 41-year-old after they paid the release clause in his contract with Qatari side Al-Sadd.
Xavi played for Barcelona for 17 years, making 767 appearances and winning 25 trophies, including four Champions League wins and eight league titles.
“FC Barcelona have reached an agreement with Xavi Hernandez for him to become first team coach for the rest of the current season and two more seasons,” the club said in a statement that was headlined “WELCOME BACK HOME, XAVI!”
“Xavi Hernandez, a youth team product at Barca, has left his current club, Al-Sadd of Qatar, after talks held over the last few days with the owners of the club.”
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Dutch coach Koeman was sacked after a 1-0 defeat by Rayo Vallecano last month which left Barca, as it is commonly known, ninth in LaLiga.
The club are still in ninth place after Sergi Barjuan was appointed as caretaker coach and sit nine points behind leaders Real Sociedad with a game in hand.
Barjuan is set to remain in charge for their league match at Celta Vigo on Saturday, with Xavi arriving in Barcelona this weekend before his presentation on Monday.
“It wasn’t goodbye, it was ‘see you soon’. The Camp Nou has always been my home,” Xavi said in a video addressed to the fans.
“You’re my fans, my people, the club that I love the most. And now, I’m coming home. See you soon, Culers. Forca Barca!
Xavi’s first game would be a local derby against Espanyol on November 20, after the international break.
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