Barcelona set the date to present Xavi as new manager

It seems like Barcelona have taken a step closer towards appointing club legend Xavi Hernandez as the next manager of the first-team.

The 41-year-old, who is currently in charge of Qatari outfit Al Sadd, has been touted as the favourite to take over ever since Ronald Koeman was sacked last week. While things seem to have been sorted out between the Spaniard and Barca, there has been resistance from his current employers.

After issuing a firm statement regarding Xavi’s future, Al Sadd even demanded Barcelona president Joan Laporta fly out to Doha in order to negotiate over a deal. And while Laporta won’t be travelling to Qatar, the Blaugrana are sending vice-president Rafa Yuste and director Mateu Alemany to iron out the details and get the deal over the line.

You’re going to travel to Qatar tomorrow right? Time for Xavi?

Mateu Alemany: *laughs* “Look, we played well today.”

Have a good trip to Qatar, Mateu!

Alemany: *laughs again* “Thank you!” pic.twitter.com/1vLYg2mqne

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) November 3, 2021

Now, journalist Jose Alvarez is reporting on El Chiringuito TV that the Catalan giants have already set a date for the presentation of Xavi as the club’s new manager. According to the journo, the 2010 FIFA World Cup winner will be arriving in Barcelona on Sunday and will be presented on Monday.

The claims from Jose Alvarez have been corroborated by Gerard Romero as well, who claims that the visit of Yuste and Alemany is pretty much a ‘courtesy’ trip, with the deal completely wrapped up. He, too, claims that Barcelona plan to present Xavi to the media on Monday.

One of the greatest players to have represented Barca, Xavi left the club in 2015 to join Al Sadd. After playing for four years for the Qatari outfit, he took over as the manager in 2019. The 41-year-old has done a solid job in his first managerial stint, leading his team to seven trophies over the past couple of years.

But, the former midfielder will have a huge challenge at Barcelona given the club’s current situation on and off the pitch.