Barcelona said on Saturday they had named old midfielder and captain Xavi Hernandez as head coach on a contract except 2024, following the sacking of Ronald Koeman.
The LaLiga club purchased the inexperienced light on Friday to signal the 41-year-old after they paid the discharge clause in his contract with Qatari aspect Al-Sadd.
Xavi performed for Barcelona for 17 years, making 767 appearances and a success 25 trophies, together with four Champions League wins and eight league titles.
“FC Barcelona get reached an settlement with Xavi Hernandez for him to change into first personnel coach for the relief of the recent season and two extra seasons,” the club said in an announcement headlined “WELCOME BACK HOME, XAVI!”
“Xavi Hernandez, a childhood personnel product at Barca, has left his recent club, Al-Sadd of Qatar, after talks held over the previous couple of days with the owners of the club.”
Dutch coach Koeman became as soon as sacked after a 1-0 defeat by Rayo Vallecano final month which left Barca ninth in LaLiga.
The club are quiet ninth after Sergi Barjuan became as soon as appointed as caretaker coach and sit down nine aspects on the back of leaders True Sociedad with a sport in hand.
Barjuan is determined to live responsible for their league match at Celta Vigo on Saturday, with Xavi arriving in Barcelona this weekend sooner than his presentation on Monday.
“It wasn`t goodbye, it became as soon as `scrutinize you rapidly`. The Camp Nou has continuously been my house,” Xavi said in a video addressed to the fans.
“You`re my fans, my other folks, the club that I take care of essentially the most. And now, I`m coming house. See you rapidly, Culers. Forca Barca!”
Xavi`s first sport could per chance per chance per chance be a local derby in opposition to Espanyol on Nov. 20, after the realm damage.
A old Spain world, Xavi joined Al-Sadd as a participant in 2015, turning into head coach after inserting up his boots in 2019. In April, he led his aspect to the Qatari domestic league title with the personnel unbeaten.
He grew to change into down the probability to coach Barca in January 2020 after Ernesto Valverde became as soon as sacked, but remained linked with the job even after Koeman succeeded Quique Setien in August of final year.
