Barcelona legend, Xavi will be the next manager of Barcelona, according to reports, with Ernesto Valverde’s tenure at Camp Nou set to come to an end.
The ex-midfielder has been in talks with Barca general director Oscar Grau and technical secretary Eric Abidal in recent days and the deal is set to be sealed.
No public announcement will be made before Xavi’s present team Al-Sadd, plays in the final of the Qatar Cup on January 17.
No decision has been taken yet on whether Xavi will be appointed at the end of the season, or immediately.
The former player is ready to take the job immediately and the club would be pleased to take him, but the Spanish legend respects Ernesto and does not want to force his sack.
He was asked about the reports after his team’s 4-1 victory vs Al-Rayyan in the Qatar Cup semi-final on Saturday and he said, “I cannot hide it, that is my dream,”
“It is my dream to coach Barcelona, I have said it many times in many interviews. Everybody knows that I support Barcelona from the bottom of my heart, so yes, it’s one of my dreams but I’m focused on Al-Sadd.
“Yes, Abidal is my friend. I’ve met him many times, so I cannot say anything, just that I respect Barcelona, I respect Valverde, I respect my club.
“I’m doing my job here, I’m doing my best.
“I’m focused today on the semi-final, and now we play the final so I’m very happy, I’m very happy to coach Al-Sadd. I cannot say anything else.”
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