Xavi agrees £5.4m-a-year deal, to replace Setien as Barcelona manager

Xavi agrees £5.4m-a-year deal, to replace Setien as Barcelona manager

Barcelona legend Xavi has reportedly agreed to replace Quique Setien as Barcelona manager. Former Barca midfielder would earn £5.4million per year from the reported contract with Catalonia giant.

The 61-year-old has endured a tough tenure at the helm of the Catalan giants since replacing Ernesto Valverde in January, and speculation has mounted that the club’s board are tempted to wield the axe already.

Xavi was the original choice for the hot seat as Valverde’s successor at the beginning of the year, but rejected the proposal when a Eric Abidal visited him in Qatar few months back. It seems – Barcelona have come knocking once again to bail them out in perhaps worst possible situation for the club in a decade.. 

And according to Mundo Deportivo, a ‘firm agreement’ has been reached which would see Xavi take up the reins at Camp Nou after the current season is concluded.   

This happened after it was widely reported that talisman Lionel Messi – who has been considering his future away from Camp Nou – and the Argentinian would make a move after the current contract expires in 2021.

Messi and senior Barcelona players are satisfied with the sensational appointment.

Xavi, who currently manages Al-Sadd in Qatar, had taken over at Al-Sadd last summer after his retirement as a footballer with the same club. 

The midfielder who is a product of Barcelona youth system, made 767 first-team appearances for the team. He joined the ‘La Masia’ aged 11 before progressing through the first team alongwith Messi and Iniesta.   

Xavi himself admitted few weeks back that he and his coaching staff are preparing for the mantle at Camp Nou.

The four-time Champions League winner told a video conference: ‘The biggest hope I have now is to be Barca coach and get Barca back to winning ways. 

‘Not me but these players and Barca triumphing. And as a consequence, our technical staff, who are preparing for it a lot and it makes us really excited.’

Despite previous rejection, Xavi appears to have been tempted to accept the offer this time round. 

The eight time La Liga winner from seventeen campaign with Catalonia giant, it would surely be painful to watch Real Madrid marching ahead of his club to claim La Liga crown.

Setien, who is now fighting for La Liga top spot, is expected to be sacked at the end of the campaign.