Xavi Hernandez returns, unveiled as new Barcelona manager after departure from Qatari side Al Sadd

Updated 08/11/2021 at 14:59 GMT

Barcelona have unveiled their new manager Xavi Hernandez after his move from Al Sadd was confirmed on Friday. Monday mornnig saw more than 25,000 fans attend the Camp Nou to welcome the former Al Sadd manager to the club, who makes a return to Barcelona after leaving as a player in 2015 before six years in Qatar.

"It's a big challenge but I'm ready" Xavi at Barcelona

New Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez was unveiled at the Camp Nou on Monday morning.

The Spanish club had been pursuing Xavi as a replacement for Ronald Koeman after he was sacked a fortnight ago, and negotiations with Al Sadd had proved trickier than expected.

Xavi reportedly had a release clause of five million euros, and while it remains unclear how Barcelona met that figure, he was permitted to sign with the Catalan club.

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He left Barcelona as a player in 2015 before playing for Al Sadd for four years, and he then took over as the club’s coach.

The announcement was made on Friday before Barcelona’s 3-3 draw with Celta Vigo, and the club allowed more than 25,000 fans to turn up for the presentation.

“I don’t want to get too emotional so I will just tell you one thing — we are the best club in the world," Xavi told the crowd.

"And we will work to the highest standards to have success. We cannot accept defeats or draws, we have to win every game.”

Laporta celebrated the appointment, saying: "Today will be an historic day for Barca."