Al Sadd football club CEO, Turki Al-Ali, has refused to let coach Xavi Hernandez leaving for Barcelona. Two Barcelona represents have been in Doha in recent days to negotiate the deal with Al Sadd for the release of Xavi, according to reports.
“We are honoured by the visit. However, we remain of the view that we will not let the coach leave already announced that some time ago. We have not changed our mind.” Al-Ali said.
“The club’s position is clear from the beginning, we are committed to keeping our coach Xavi with us and we cannot have him leave at this sensitive time of the season.” he added.
Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, sees Xavi as an excellent coach. He told this during a press conference for Saturday’s competition match with Alaves.
“I’ve said it before. But during my presidency Xavi will be a coach of Barcelona. I just don’t know when yet,” Laporta said.
“Xavi has good references. I talk to him as a friend and know his opinion about our selection. We often talk to each other, but I felt that Koeman deserved trust in recent months.
“We are very grateful that Koeman has taken on the technical responsibility for the first team taken during a very difficult period.
“He is a club icon and will always be in our memory. But the poor results made his situation untenable. Ronald could partly understand that. Negotiations on the termination of his contract are going well. We will keep his contract to respect.” Laporta added.
Barcelona is led during the game against Alaves by interim coach Sergi Barjuan, the coach of the second team.
According to many Spanish media, Xavi will be the definitive replacement for fired coach Ronald Koeman. The former midfielder is now the coach of Qatari club Al Sadd.
