Former Barcelona and Spain playmaker Xavi Hernandez has been appointed as head coach of Qatari club Al Sadd SC.
The club said on Twitter that the World Cup winner would replace Jesualdo Ferreira as manager at the start of next season.
? OFFICIAL: #Xavi Hernandez will take over as the head coach of #AlSadd from the beginning of the next season!#Qatar https://t.co/FvSOTLqyQp
— AlSadd S.C | نادي السد (@AlsaddSC) May 28, 2019
The 39-year-old made more than 100 appearances for Al Sadd before retiring at the end of the 2018-19 season, three years after joining the club.
Xavi, who was instrumental in Spain’s 2010 World Cup victory, has won eight La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies at Barcelona.
After announcing his retirement, Xavi said he was excited to see “what the future holds”.
“What I have achieved in the last two decades has been a privilege,” he said.
“Therefore, I believe it is my duty to take the initiative off the field and return through football whenever possible.”
Xavi won it all as a player ?
How will he do as a manager? https://t.co/wthQdFHfJY
— Goal (@goal) May 28, 2019
In a statement released to Spanish news outlet AS, he added: “My philosophy as a coach reflects the style we developed for many years under the influence of Johan Cruyff and La Masia, and that has its greatest exponent in the way of playing football in Barcelona.
“I love seeing teams take the initiative on the field, attack football and return to the essence of what we all love from our childhood days – possession football.”