‘I want to go home’ – Xavi urges Al-Sadd to allow him to leave for Barcelona

Xavi reveals his plan to shake up Barcelona, puts down conditions
Xavi reveals his plan to shake up Barcelona, puts down conditions

Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernández has told his club, Al-Saad, that ‘he wants to go home’ following interest from Barcelona. 

The La Liga club are in search of a new manager after sacking Ronald Koeman last week as have identified Xavi as the man they want to lead the club in its new phase.

Officials of the Nou Camp side were in Doha on Wednesday to meet with Al-Sadd officials over the availability of Xavi even though the Qatari side had released a statement on Monday saying they aimed to keep their coach.

However, the 41-year-old has now expressed his desire to “go home” to the club where he starred as a player for 17 seasons.

Speaking after Al-Sadd’s 3-3 draw with Al-Duhail in a Qatar Stars League match on Wednesday, Xavi said:

“I’ve been talking to Barca for days. It’s done. 

“But now it depends on the conversations between clubs. They need to reach an agreement. Barca is coming to talk. We are all eager and excited. We’ll see if it ends up being done.

“I really want to go home. I hope it happens. I have a contract and now the clubs have to negotiate. They already know my position.”

Al-Sadd captain Abdelkarim Hassan seemed to confirm that his manager’s departure is inevitable, saying after the game: 

“Everyone is sad because of Xavi’s departure, but he will coach a big team like Barcelona.”

“Xavi presented a new idea to Qatari football and Al-Sadd players and helped us as a great player and coach, and his ideas led us to achieve a lot despite the criticism. We will miss him a lot.” 

After Wednesday’s game, Xavi made sure he shook the hands of all of his players and the referees, in what could have been seen as a farewell.