- Al Sadd’s sporting director Al Balushi reveals there are negotiations between their current head coach and Barca.
- Previously, it’s been reported that Barca could fire Valverde and appoint Xavi already on Monday, January 13.
- Everything depends on Xavi and the result of Al Sadd’s upcoming Qatar Cup semifinal.
It is really happening! Al Sadd’s sporting director Muhammad Ghulam Al Balushi has just confirmed Barcelona are in talks with their current head coach Xavi.
Al Balushi says: “Yes, there are negotiations between Barcelona and Xavi going on right now. We wish him success wherever he goes.”
Earlier on Saturday, Spanish source Cuatro confirmed Ernesto Valverde could be fired already on Monday if Xavi accepts the Catalans’ offer.
Xavi is expected to make a decision after the Qatar Cup semifinal on Saturday evening. If Xavi says that he’s prepared to manage Barca, Ernesto Valverde will be sacked with immediate effect.
Xavi has been in charge of Al Sadd since 2019. His side reached the semi-finals of the AFС Champions League and took part in the Club World Cup. However, they got eliminated quickly and didn’t have a chance of playing UCL winners Liverpool.
As a reminder, Barca’s sporting director Eric Abidal travelled to Qatar to meet Xavi over the potential job offer. Afterwards, Xavi’s club Al-Sadd issued a statement on this matter.
The club’s executive director Turki Al-Ali stated: “The issue of Xavi going to Barcelona is normal and expected because he will be at his club and it’s his first home and he must return there in the future, but as of today, Xavi is the coach of Al Sadd.”
That’s how Xavi addressed the Barcelona rumours straight after his appointment at Al-Sadd last year.
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