Gary Lineker has taken to Twitter to react after Barcelona announced the return of Xavi on a contract running until 2024.
What’s the story?
Well, Joan Laporta has finally found a replacement for Ronald Koeman at Barcelona, after striking a deal for Xavi with Al-Sadd SC.
Xavi will be officially unveiled at the Camp Nou on Monday, where he ended his playing career in 2015 with a La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey treble secured under Luis Enrique.
Xavi has managed in Qatar with Al-Sadd since 2019, winning the Qatar Stars League, two Qatar Cups, the Sheikh Jassim Cup, Emir of Qatar Cup and the Qatari Stars Cup.
After hearing the news, Lineker – who scored 48 goals for Barcelona – tweeted the following.
Clearly, despite Xavi’s lack of experience in management, the BBC Match of the Day host is feeling positive about the appointment.
Will Xavi succeed at Barcelona?
At last, it feels like Barcelona are going back to their roots.
Enough £100m signings, it’s time for the Blaugrana to focus their attention on La Masia once again, and nurture the wonderkids it so frequently churns out.
Xavi, who came through the system himself, has Barcelona DNA running through his veins, and impressively implemented a tika-taka style at Al-Sadd.
Just take a look at this goal his Al-Sadd side scored – it is eerily reminiscent of how Barcelona played under Pep Guardiola.
There’s plenty to be positive about.
However, things are a bit of a mess in Catalonia, so the 41-year-old has a monumental task to drag his beloved Barcelona back to the top.
Only time will tell if Laporta has got it right.
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