BARCELONA have offered club legend Xavi a two-and-a-half-year deal to become manager, according to reports.
The Catalans are on the verge of sacking current boss Ernesto Valverde and have reached out to their legendary midfielder to help them recover their form.
Xavi has been offered a two-and-a-half year deal to manage Barcelona
Current Barca boss Ernesto Valverde is under pressure with La Liga lead slipping and his current deal expiring at the end of the seasonCredit: AP:Associated Press
Barca’s sporting director Eric Abidal and CEO Oscar Grau are said to have met up with the 39-year-old in Doha following their 3-2 Spanish Super Cup defeat by Atletico Madrid in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
And the talks were enough to convince the Barca big wigs to offer Xavi the deal, according to Spanish outlet AS.
Thierry Henry, Ronald Koeman and Roberto Martinez had all been touted as potential replacements for Valverde who is struggling for form.
His deal expires at the end of the season but he could be let go before that if results do not improve.
The Catalans have won just once in their last five games and despite remaining top of La Liga on goal difference, they have let their lead over bitter rivals Real Madrid slip.
Despite the speculation, Al-Sadd – the Qatari club where Xavi is currently head coach – insist he is going nowhere.
A statement on the club’s website read: “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.
“Xavi and his team are focusing on tomorrow’s match against Al-Rayyan, and we know that a club with the size and professionalism of Barcelona will take to official channels to speak of such matters.”
While it seems to be a case of when not if Xavi will return to the Nou Camp, ESPN claim both parties will wait until June – when Valverde’s contract expires – to discuss the move.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
