Barcelona closing in on Xavi after Koeman sacked as coach

Barcelona are close to finalising Xavi Hernandez’s long-anticipated return as coach, according to various reports in the Catalan press on Thursday, with the club’s legendary midfielder set to replace the sacked Ronald Koeman.

Barca president Joan Laporta was reportedly in talks with Xavi about the vacant position on Thursday morning. 

Xavi is currently coach of Al Sadd but prising him away from the Qatari club is not expected to be a problem, with the Spaniard eager to complete a sensational return.

Until Xavi joins Barcelona, B team coach Sergi Barjuan will act as the interim manager of the first team.

The 41-year-old left Barcelona in 2015 on the back of winning the treble, which took his career tally to eight titles in La Liga and four in the Champions League.

He is widely considered one of the club’s greatest ever players and there is huge excitement about his potential as a coach, after his influence on the iconic Barca team managed by Pep Guardiola.

Barcelona’s scheduled morning training session on Thursday was put back to 5pm in the afternoon when Laporta will address the squad and potentially announce Xavi’s impending arrival.

Barca have three games to negotiate before the international break, against Alaves and Celta Vigo in La Liga, as well as a crucial Champions League trip to Dynamo Kiev in between.

Barca had won only two of their last seven league games under Koeman, a run that included losing to Real Madrid in Sunday’s Clasico at Camp Nou.

A poor start to the season has raised the possibility of the team even failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League, which would have enormous consequences for the club’s already dire financial situation.

A club statement released after midnight Wednesday in Spain confirmed the axing of Koeman, who also previously managed Everton and the Netherlands and had been under fierce pressure.

“The president of the club, Joan Laporta, informed him of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano,” the statement said.

There was criticism of Koeman’s style of play, which became increasingly direct, while the board were reportedly irritated by his straying from the club’s traditions of playing 4-3-3.