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New Barcelona boss Xavi breaks down in tears during farewell to Al Sadd players

Xavi will take over at former club Barcelona and has said goodbye to his Al Sadd players in emotional circumstances as he returns to the Nou Camp to succeed Ronald Koeman

Xavi has bid an emotional farewell to his Al Sadd players with the Spaniard pictured in tears ahead of his move to Barcelona.


The Catalan legend will take over at the Nou Camp as Ronald Koeman's successor.


Xavi spent 17 years at Barcelona as a player having made his debut in 1998 and was the club's ideal candidate.


Al Sadd, where the 41-year-old has coached for two years, had originally said he would not be allowed to leave, but an agreement has now been struck with the Spanish side.

The World Cup winner has been snapped bidding his goodbyes to his current squad with the emotion clear to see.

Xavi went public with his wishes, saying he wanted "to go home" and wished for "common sense" to prevail as news of a return to Barcelona surfaced.


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Xavi was emotional as he prepares to join Barcelona
Xavi was emotional as he prepares to join Barcelona

Al Sadd chief executive Turki Al-Ali said: "Xavi informed us a few days ago of his desire to go to Barcelona at this particular time, because of the critical stage his hometown club is going through, and we understand this and decided not to stand in his way."


The Spaniard moved to the Qatari outfit in 2015, originally as a player before taking up a role in the dugout.

Al Sadd are currently unbeaten in 36 games under his leadership but they have wished him well in what will be a challenging role as Barcelona appear a shadow of the club they once were on the pitch.

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"The administration has agreed on Xavi's move to Barcelona after the payment of the release clause stipulated in the contract," the club posted on Twitter.


"We've agreed on cooperation with Barcelona in the future."

Barcelona currently sit ninth in LaLiga - nine points off the pace having won four of their 11 games.

Qualification in the Champions League is also in serious doubt with two games remaining in the group stages.


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The cash strapped club were unable to keep Lionel Messi, a former teammate of Xavi's, in the summer and he subsequently moved to PSG.


Memphis Depay, Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia arrived as free transfers and striker Luuk de Jong joining on loan from Sevilla to bolster their squad.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has previously said: "I have always said one day [Xavi] will be Barca's head coach but I don't know when."

Xavi, a product of the La Masia academy, will be able to work with fellow graduates like Ansu Fati, Pedri and Gavi, all of whom are tipped for big things despite the transitional period.

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