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Ayeni Olusegun
Doha
Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez revealed on Thursday that he turned down the Barcelona job because “it was too early”.
The Barcelona icon had been touted as possible replacement for Ernesto Valverde especially after a visit from the club’s officials Eric Abidal and Oscar Grau in Doha.
“Yes I received an offer from Barcelona, but I didn’t think it was the right time for me. Sure I would love to coach Barca but I have to be honest with everyone it’s not the right time,” Xavi disclosed on as Al Sadd prepared for the Qatar Cup final against Al Duhail
on Friday.
The Catalan club have since appointed former Real Betis manager Quique Setien on a two-and-a-half-year deal until 2022.
“My heart beats for Barcelona and I wish Quique Setien the best. I am grateful to Barcelona for the offer,” he added.
Xavi signed a three year deal when he took over as Al Sadd coach last summer and just over six months into his job, the Barcelona interest, while coming as no surprise caused a little stir at Al Sadd and in Europe.
“As a manager you never know, but my goal now is to continue until the end of the season with Al Sadd,” the World Cup winner said.
“My family was the first to know about my decision before the Al Sadd players, I respect them a lot. For the past three days, I was not focused because I was thinking about that offer, but now my focus is on Al Sadd.”
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu had on Wednesday told Sport website that Xavi who played 855 senior games for the club, will manage the Catalan giants one day.
“Xavi will be manager of Barca one day, I have no doubt about that,” he said.
“He is very competent, he is someone with an enormous drive and who knows our football perfectly.”
Doha
Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez revealed on Thursday that he turned down the Barcelona job because “it was too early”.
The Barcelona icon had been touted as possible replacement for Ernesto Valverde especially after a visit from the club’s officials Eric Abidal and Oscar Grau in Doha.
“Yes I received an offer from Barcelona, but I didn’t think it was the right time for me. Sure I would love to coach Barca but I have to be honest with everyone it’s not the right time,” Xavi disclosed on as Al Sadd prepared for the Qatar Cup final against Al Duhail
on Friday.
The Catalan club have since appointed former Real Betis manager Quique Setien on a two-and-a-half-year deal until 2022.
“My heart beats for Barcelona and I wish Quique Setien the best. I am grateful to Barcelona for the offer,” he added.
Xavi signed a three year deal when he took over as Al Sadd coach last summer and just over six months into his job, the Barcelona interest, while coming as no surprise caused a little stir at Al Sadd and in Europe.
“As a manager you never know, but my goal now is to continue until the end of the season with Al Sadd,” the World Cup winner said.
“My family was the first to know about my decision before the Al Sadd players, I respect them a lot. For the past three days, I was not focused because I was thinking about that offer, but now my focus is on Al Sadd.”
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu had on Wednesday told Sport website that Xavi who played 855 senior games for the club, will manage the Catalan giants one day.
“Xavi will be manager of Barca one day, I have no doubt about that,” he said.
“He is very competent, he is someone with an enormous drive and who knows our football perfectly.”
