FC Barcelona confirms Xavi as new first team coach

FC Barcelona confirmed former player Xavi Hernandez as the long-term replacement to Ronald Koeman as first team coach in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The 41-year-old, considered to be one of the architects of Barcelona’s trademark passing game, returns to the Camp Nou after Barca agreed terms with Qatari club Al-Saad, where he had coaching since 2019.

Xavi has agreed a two and a half year contract until the end of June 2024 and will make his debut in the Barca dugout on November 20th in the Barcelona derby against local rivals Espanyol, just three days before Barca play Benfica in a Champions League game they need to win if they are to qualify for the last 16 of the competition.