It’s no secret for anyone else in Catalonia: Barcelona wants to replace coach Ernesto Valverde immediately. And the replacement could be former star Xavi, the current Al Sadd coach and who already has a green light from the Qatar club to return to Barca. According to Spanish media, Al Sadd’s sporting director Muhammad Ghulam Al Balushi has wished Xavi success in his career, “wherever he goes.”

“There are talks between Xavi and Barcelona now, and we wish him success wherever he goes,” Al Balushi said on Saturday, according to information from the “Mundo Deportivo” newspaper, in an interview with Alkass before the semifinal of the Cup of Qatar, in which Al Sadd won by 4-0 against Al Rayyan.

Xavi has a contract with Al Sadd until June this year. The Spanish press reported Saturday that two Barcelona directors, Oscar Grau and former full-back Eric Abidal, remain in Doha, after the team’s defeat against Atletico Madrid, to meet with Xavi on Sunday with the goal of going back to Barcelona with the former midfielder immediately.

Barcelona leads the Spanish La Liga with the same 40 points of Real Madrid, taking advantage of the goals scored criteria.

Last Thursday, the team lost to Atletico Madrid by 3-2, in an amazing comeback from the team of the capital, in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final, conceding two goals after the 85th minute of the second half, a result that practically shook the fate of coach Ernesto Valverde, who had been criticized throughout the whole season.

In the UEFA Champions League, Barcelona will face Napoli in the Round of 16. The first leg game will be on February 25 at the San Paolo stadium, the second one is scheduled for March 18 at the Camp Nou.

Having a legend back could be a good choice, even though Xavi doesn’t have a lot of experience. We all remember what Zidane did when he started his work at Real Madrid though. Maybe Xavi could do the same and put Barca at the top of Europe once again.