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Opinion
Alfredo RelañoEmery stays put as Barcelona wait for Xavi

Emery stays put as Barcelona wait for Xavi

The good news is that Unai Emery will stay with Villarreal. In the coach from the Basque Country we have a relatively young talent who came to the forefront during his spell with Lorca. His career took him on an interesting journey which saw his PSG side beat Barcelona 4-0 before succumbing 6-1 in the epic second leg at Camp Nou and his time in Paris wound down shortly afterwards. The 50-year-old dusted himself down and got his career back on track, so much so, that Newcastle's new owners were prepared to offer a hefty sum of money for his services. Ultimatey, the coach from Hondarribia stays put with Villarreal and this is certainly good news for Spanish football.

Qatari football club al-Sadd SC's Spanish coach Xavi Hernandez gestures during Qatar Stars League match between al-Sadd SC and al-Duhail SC, at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium (Al-Gharafah Stadium) in Qatar's capital Doha on November 3, 2021. (Photo by KARIM JAA
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Qatari football club al-Sadd SC's Spanish coach Xavi Hernandez gestures during Qatar Stars League match between al-Sadd SC and al-Duhail SC, at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium (Al-Gharafah Stadium) in Qatar's capital Doha on November 3, 2021. (Photo by KARIM JAAKARIM JAAFARAFP

Al Saad home

This pursuit played out at the same time that a Barça delegation are in Doha trying to convince Al Sadd to release Xavi. There are parallels between both situations but with acute differences. The club in question here is not a new state backed rich-kid but an institution in financial disarray with the rich party being the QSL side with Al Saad being Xavi's club since he moved to Qatar. The man from Terrassa hung up his boots and won his last silverware with the Doha based outfit before going onto coach the side. The time has come for Barça to come knocking in his door and take Xavi back to his spiritual home of Camp Nou whilst ensuring that relationships with Al Saad remain cordial, the Doha club that have looked after Xavi since 2015.

Barcelona's Spanish President Joan Laporta leaves after addressing a press conference in Barcelona on October 29, 2021, on the eve of their Spanish league football match against Deportivo Alaves. - Barjuan will be in charge at Camp Nou after Koeman's sack
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Barcelona's Spanish President Joan Laporta leaves after addressing a press conference in Barcelona on October 29, 2021, on the eve of their Spanish league football match against Deportivo Alaves. - Barjuan will be in charge at Camp Nou after Koeman's sackJOSEP LAGOAFP

Common sense

'It's just common sense', stated Xavi and he's not wrong. Having said that, common sense in Barcelona seems to contrast with that in Doha with the Al Saad delegates feeling snubbed that Barça chief Laporta failed to make the trip despite the president's view that his presence is unnecessary with others still viewing the coach as never being top of Laporta's priorities. A little more enthusiasm emanating from Laporta's side may have helped in speed negotiations along and reach a mutually satisfactory outcome for all involved parties and would certainly help in ensuring a better atmosphere at Camp Nou when Xavi does eventually take over at the Catalan club.