Barcelona confident of appointing Xavi as new head coach

Published on: 28 October 2021

Barcelona are confident that Xavi will be confirmed as their new head coach following the sacking of Ronald Koeman.

58-year-old Koeman was given the dreaded vote of confidence by president Joan Laporta in September after a terrible start to the new season, and at that point, Barça's board made it clear they wanted to Xavi to come in.

Laporta agreed with his fellow directors that was the best course of action, and has since been trying to convince Xavi - as 90min confirmed - to make a return to the club.

That plan has now accelerated with Koeman's departure.

The axe finally fell on the Dutchman's tenure after their 1-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday - a game that Memphis Depay missed a penalty in - saw Barça drop to 9th in La Liga. It is understood that Barça officials made contact with Xavi to let him know Koeman's sacking was coming, and that he needs to make a decision on his future - whether that is in Catalunya or not.

Xavi is currently in Qatar with Al-Sadd, and they've already told Barcelona they will not stand in his way - meaning the decision is all down to their former midfield talisman.

Sources close to the club have confirmed to 90min their belief that Xavi has intimated he's ready to take the job, and a deal could be finalised quickly.

An interim coach is likely to be in place for at least one game while Barça wait for Xavi to arrive, and that is likely to be youth coach Albert Capellas. He could be on the touchline as Barcelona host Alaves at the weekend before a crunch Champions League game away at Dynamo Kyiv.


This article was originally published on 90min as Barcelona confident of appointing Xavi as new head coach.

Source: www.90min.com

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