Spanish legend Xavi Hernandez will replace Ronald Koeman as head coach of Laliga giants Barcelona.
Xavi’s appointment was confirmed by Qatari club Al Sadd on their Twitter handle on Friday.
Xavi is the permanent replacement for Koeman who had been under pressure since last season.
His position became untenable with a defeat in El Classico against Real Madrid last month followed by a shock loss at Rayo Vallecano three days later – a result which saw Koeman sacked.
The club then elevated their former left-back Sergi Barjuan – coach of the club’s B team – into the position as interim boss to guide the side in the matches going into November’s international break.
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Barca, who are ninth in La Liga, drew 1-1 with Alaves in Sergi’s first game in charge, before beating Dynamo Kiev 1-0 in the Champions League in Ukraine on Tuesday.
The statement by Al Sadd read:”The administration agreed on the transfer of Xavi to Barcelona after paying the penalty clause stipulated in the contract.
“We agreed with Barcelona on practical cooperation in the future, Xavi is an important part of the history of the club.
“We wish him all success in the next stage.”
Xavi was the record-appearance holder at Barcelona (767) before being surpassed by Lionel Messi this year.
Prior to Koeman’s sacking in October, Xavi said in an interview with Spanish media outlet 20 Minutos: “My ideal dream would be to coach Barca, that is my goal and my dream and I have never hidden it.
“I don’t know if it will happen or not, if they will need me or not, but at the moment I am happy to be in Al-Sadd and very proud of it.”
Xavi departed Barca in 2015 having won 25 trophies with the club as a player including eight La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns over his 17-season career with the Catalan giants.
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COMMENTS
From the day Koeman assumed office as Barca coach my instinct told me he’s not the quality coach for Barca. Barca is a great team with reputations and must be handles with same. It took long be fore he was sacked. It is a pity.