Xavi extends his Al Sadd contract for a further two years

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A reward for a brilliant season

Barcelona and Spain legend Xavi has signed a new contract which will keep him as the manager of Al Sadd for another two years. Xavi, who has been manager of the Qatari side since he retired from playing football in May 2019, finished third in his first season in management, but led his side to an unbeaten campaign in 2020-21, winning 19 of the 22 games on offer.

His side boast the best record both for most goals scored and fewest goals conceded this season too, suggesting that Xavi is threatening to be just as good a manager as he was a player.

Some will question the ex-Barcelona midfielder’s decision to remain in Qatar as opposed to testing himself in the European leagues, where most managers earn their stripes. However, with the Qatar links to sides across Europe, staying at Al Sadd could well provide a springboard for his career nevertheless.

OFFICIAL: Xavi has renewed his contract with #AlSadd for an additional two seasons! #XAVI2023 pic.twitter.com/oHhgq41wXD

— ? #75 Al Sadd SC | نادي السد (@AlsaddSC) May 12, 2021

Barcelona break clause retained:

For Xavi, Barcelona is the dream. The Spaniard spent almost all of his playing career with the Catalan club, winning four Champions League trophies and eight La Liga titles in the process, whilst he added the World Cup and European Championships to his collection while representing Spain.

The Spaniard refuses to hide this fact either, saying:

“I don’t hide my dream of coaching Barcelona one day, I would love to coach the team. I support them and my dream is to train Barcelona,”

A huge fan of La Masia and the youth system from which he himself graduated, he is seen by many as the natural next boss of Barcelona. Amidst speculation surrounding the future of current boss Ronald Koeman (which you can read about here), Xavi could be the next man to step into the hotseat of a club that needs a reshuffle from top to bottom.

Official: Xavi has renewed his commitment to Al-Sadd until 2023. His Barça “escape clause” is still part of the new deal. pic.twitter.com/oSUgdch0p1

— total Barça (@totalBarca) May 12, 2021

Were Barcelona to come calling, a clause in Xavi’s contract is rumoured to allow him to walk away from Al Sadd with no compensation required, in order to take on his dream role. If Barcelona were not to win the La Liga title, it does feel as if it would be a matter of when, not if, the Catalan giants came asking for their legend to come and save them.