Barcelona pay £4.2m Xavi release clause as Al-Sadd confirm emotional Nou Camp return

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Barcelona seem set to sensationally appoint legendary midfielder Xavi as their new manager after Al-Sadd confirmed that the LaLiga giants have paid their head coach’s £4.2million release clause. It has been expected that the former Spain international would take charge at the Nou Camp after Ronald Koeman’s sacking. 

Iconic former Barca defender Koeman was dismissed 10 days ago following a disastrous start to the season, which has not been aided by the club’s huge debts and subsequently terrible summer. 

But Koeman still had a talented squad available at his disposal and ultimately failed to get the best out of them.

Supporter unrest reached a boiling point after last month’s El Clasico defeat by Real Madrid. The Dutchman’s car was attacked by fans outside the Nou Camp.

Koeman was given the vote of confidence but president Joan Laporta is understood to have been furious following a 1-0 loss at Rayo Vallecano last week. 

Former Chelsea and Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao scored the only goal in a terrible display. It was widely reported that Koeman had been sacked before the plane home from Madrid had landed. 

Barca seem set to ease supporter disquiet by appointing heroic figure Xavi as their new head coach. His current side, Al-Sadd, had struck a blow to the Catalan outfit’s chances of hiring him when they released a statement insisting that the 41-year-old still had a contract until 2023. 

Al-Sadd said: “The Al-Sadd administration has agreed on Xavi’s move to Barcelona after the payment of the release clause stipulated in the contract.

“We’ve agreed on cooperation with Barcelona in the future. Xavi is an important part of Al-Sadd’s history and we wish him success.”

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