Qatari side Al Sadd have confirmed that manager Xavi has signed a contract extension to cover the 2020/21 season, amid widespread reports that he is set to replace Quique Setien at Barcelona.
Xavi spent his entire career with Barca before joining Al Sadd in 2015, where he has since taken over as manager of the club. He has impressed in his first spell as coach, winning the Qatari Cup earlier this year, and a report this weekend claimed his former club had agreed terms on his return to the Nou Camp. Agreed on.
However, Al Sadd announced on Sunday that he has extended his stay in Qatar by a year and has signed to take over the role for next season.
OFFICIAL: Al-Sadd renews Xavi’s contract to continue as manager for 2020-21 season https://t.co/HMrRwus7bX #AlSadd pic.twitter.com/bpfajhoXu2
– Al Sadd SC | Nadi Alsadd (@AlsaddSC) July 5, 2020
“I am delighted that the squad is complete today, with the remainder of the squad returning, in preparation for the upcoming term and the resumption of the League Championship,” Xavi said in a club statement.
“I am happy to continue with Al Sadd, and the team’s goal will always be to compete for all the titles.”
The statement added a further quote from Xavi saying, “His full focus at this time is to fully equip the players for the upcoming domestic and Asian competitions.”
Al-Saad is currently third in the Stars League ahead of the campaign starting later this month, and his new deal keeps him under contract until the end of next season – which will be in August 2021, as the Qatari The calendar works differently than in Europe.
Xavi: Delighted to renew my contract with #AlSadd, I am currently working on a number of issues with the club’s management, including Akram Afif’s contract renewal, and foreign players to replace Gabi and Marco Fabian. Signing. t.co/y5yUunEkzG pic.twitter.com/oamTseHo9Z
– Al Sadd SC | Nadi Alsadd (@AlsaddSC) July 5, 2020
The new deal could appear as a spanner in the works for Barca, but the reality is that if the Catalan giants want the former midfielder as their new head coach, well, they’ll probably get him.
Xavi has not spoken about his plans to return to the club if things go well, but the extension entitles Al Sadd to a significant figure in compensation should he leave before his contract expires.
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