Just In: Al Sadd Confirms Xavi Hernandes’s Return To Barcelona

In an emotional statement on Friday, Qatar side, Al Sadd confirmed that Xavi Hernandes is returning to Barcelona to be the head coach of the Spanish club.

Al Sadd revealed in the official statement on its social media platform, Twitter precisely that the Blaugrana have completed the release clause which will see the 41-year-old former player return to the club as its manager.

Naija News reports that Barca’s quest for a new manager became necessary after the Spanish club sacked its former coach, Ronald Koeman for performing poorly.

Barca is currently been managed by recently employed interim, Sergi Barjuan who was before now the coach of Barca B.

Al Sadd, however, cleared all doubts on Barca’s search for a new manager on Friday in its statement which reads: “Turki Al-Ali: The #AlSadd administration has agreed on Xavi’s move to Barcelona after the payment of the release clause stipulated in the contract.

“We’ve agreed on cooperation with Barcelona in the future. Xavi is an important part of Al-Sadd’s history and we wish him success.

“Xavi informed us a few days ago of his desire to go to Barcelona at this particular time, because of the critical stage his hometown club is going through, and we understand this and decided not to stand in his way.

“Xavi and his family will remain welcome in Doha, and our relationship will continue.”

Meanwhile, Argentine professional footballer, Lionel Messi, has opened up on his plan and hope of returning to Barcelona.

Naija News recalls that Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year contract in August this year.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner sealed his move to the French club on a deal worth £25m per year after tax, plus bonuses. Messi’s exit from Camp Nou is understood to be related to Barcelona’s financial crisis, being unable to offer the striker a good new deal.

However, barely three months after joining the Ligue 1 side, the 34-year-old forward expressed his intention to be part of Barca’s senior management in the future.

He said: “I always said that I would love to be able to help the club and be useful wherever I can. I would love to be a technical secretary at some point. I don’t know if it will be at Barcelona or not. Or if it will be otherwise,”

“If there is a possibility, I would like to contribute again in what I can because it is the club that I love and I would love for it to continue to be good, to continue growing and to continue being one of the best in the world,” Diario Sport quoted the Argentine as saying.