Tag: Xavi
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Al Sadd want Barca identity to replace Xavi
Al Sadd have plans to replace Xavi with another coach boasting a Barcelona background. Barca and Al Sadd are thrashing out compensation terms for Xavi, who has agreed personal terms over a return to the Nou Camp. Sport says Al Sadd plan to replace their coach with another Barca identity in order to maintain continuity.…
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Xavi responds to Barca questions after Al Sadd meeting
Al Sadd have informed Xavi he can leave for Barcelona so long as his buyout clause is met. It’s understood Xavi’s contract carries a €1m release clause should Barca come calling. Meanwhile, Marca reports Xavi met with the leaders of the Qatar club on Thursday, intimating his desire to taken the newly vacant job at…
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My idea is to coach Barca – Xavi
Al Sadd coach Xavi says his ambition to return to Barcelona remains. Xavi famously turned down Barca 18 months ago, convinced he wasn’t ready for the job at the time. However, the former Blaugrana captain now says: “My idea is to coach Barcelona. “I have never hidden it, it is my goal and my dream.…
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Barca president Laporta and board split on Xavi
Barcelona president Joan Laporta and his board are split on Al Sadd coach Xavi as Ronald Koeman’s successor. Sport says Xavi is the preferred option to replace Koeman for many of the Barcelona board, but he’s not Laporta’s first pick. The Barça president was keen for Xavi to return to the club as B team…
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I rejected Man Utd – Xavi
Former Barcelona captain Xavi has admitted turning down Manchester United. The midfielder could have swapped Spain for England much earlier in his career. The 41-year-old revealed he was once approached by Manchester United but turned them down because of his love for Barcelona. He told The Times: “Manchester United approached me once through Sir Alex…
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Xavi reveals he rejected Man Utd manager Sir Alex
Barcelona legend Xavi has revealed why he turned down Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Xavi established himself as one of the world’s finest midfielders over the course of a 17-year spell at Camp Nou. Despite overtures from other clubs, including United, the World Cup winner said he could never leave his boyhood club. “Manchester…
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Guardiola tells Barca: Forget me – look at Xavi, Busquets
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says Barcelona should hire an ex-player for their next coach. While supportive of Ronald Koeman, Guardiola insists he shouldn’t be considered when it comes to replacing the Dutchman. He told TV3: “I hope someone like Xavi, (Sergi) Busquets or (Javier) Mascherano will come through. “It’s up to them to decide.…
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No reason to rush Barcelona – Xavi
Al Sadd coach Xavi stands by his decision not to accept an offer to return to Barcelona. Xavi has been offered the job twice but, while the Spaniard admits that turning down his boyhood club was difficult, he felt it wasn’t the right moment. “Fortunately or unfortunately I have said no to Barcelona twice, due…
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Former Barca captain stunned over Messi transfer talk
Barcelona legend Xavi is baffled that there’s doubt about the future at the club of Lionel Messi. The Al Sadd coach has had his say on Messi’s situation as the Barca captain’s contract runs down. Xavi said, “We have to see that Leo is happy because with a happy Messi, you have more chances to…
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Joshua Kimmich names ex-Barca captain as his idol
Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich has admitted that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the players he would most like to line up next to at club level, while adding that Barca legend Xavi was his biggest influence while growing up. As a Champions League and Club World Cup winner with Bayern, Kimmich has a…