Photo: TT
Barcelona’s Xavi Hernandez during his playing days
Barcelona club legend Xavi Hernandez will take over as the club’s new head coach after an agreement was reached.
Xavi had been expected to take over at Camp Nou following Ronald Koeman’s sacking late last month, although the former Spain international’s Qatari club Al Sadd held out.
Al Sadd wanted Xavi to see out his contract but the 41-year-old was adamant in his desire to take over at his former club and has finally got his way.
The announcement on Saturday came prior Barcelona’s clash away to Celta Vigo where they fluffed a 3-0 lead, drawing 3-3 in La Liga under caretaker Sergi Barjuan.
Xavi has penned a contract for the rest of this season and two more years.
Barcelona said it expected Xavi to arrive in Barcelona this week for a presentation at the club on Monday.
The club legend made 767 appearances for the club, surpassed only by Lionel Messi with 778. Xavi won 25 major trophies as a Barca player.
Xavi has a huge job taking over at financially embattled Barca, who had to allow Messi to exit as a free agent due to La Liga salary regulations.
Saturday’s draw at Celta was their latest setback, sitting ninth in La Liga, having failed to win in their past four league games.
The Blaugrana, who won the Copa del Rey last term, are not assured of Champions League progress either, sitting second in their group with six points from four games.
