DOHA: Xavi Hernandez said he was “looking forward to going home” and hopes Barcelona can reach an agreement with Al Sadd in “a matter of hours, maybe days” to secure his return to the club as coach.
Xavi is Barca’s first choice to replace Ronald Koeman but the Spaniard has two years left to run on his contract with the Qatari club, where he took over as coach in 2019.
“The two clubs are in talks and it needs to be resolved,” Xavi said after Al Sadd’s 3-3 draw with Al Duhail on Wednesday.
“I am looking forward to going home, as you can imagine, but it is a matter of respect. I have a contract and the two clubs have to agree.
“I am very excited to go home and even more to be Barcelona coach, which has a lot of responsibility, but I very am excited and motivated.”
Xavi said there was a “small release clause” in his Al Sadd contract, reportedly set at around five million euros ($5.8 million). He appeared optimistic an agreement would be found.
