Xavi Hernández on the verge of returning to the sidelines

Apuesta a este partido aquí

La Liga

1 X 2

CD Alaves Getafe

15/08/26 19:30:00

2.35 2.75 3.50

 PUBLICIDAD

Cuotas validas al publicarse, sujetas a cambios. Regístrese en bet365, ingrese 5€ o más en su cuenta y conseguirá un 100% de su ingreso válido en créditos de apuesta (hasta 100€). Solo para clientes nuevos. Se aplican las condiciones. Las ganancias no incluyen el importe de los créditos de apuesta. Se aplican premios máximos, restricciones de juego, límites de tiempo y condiciones. Es necesario registrarse.

Xavi Hernández, a 46-year-old coach, has entered the plans of Al-Ahli to take over their bench during this summer transfer window. The Saudi Arabian club is looking for a replacement for Matthias Jaissle, who left his position after three seasons in charge.

The sports management led by Rui Pedro has already started talks with several candidates. Xavi is among the top options along with Vítor Pereira and Nuno Espírito Santo, although there is no agreement yet to finalize the hiring of the coach from Terrassa.

Xavi Hernández, a free-agent option for Al-Ahli

Xavi Hernández's contract situation allows for potential negotiations. The coach has been free since he left FC Barcelona in May 2024, so Al-Ahli wouldn't need to negotiate financial compensation with another club.

This circumstance gives him an advantage over Nuno Espírito Santo, who is under contract with West Ham. The English team was relegated from the Premier League last season, and any move involving the Portuguese would first require resolving his current contract.

Vítor Pereira also appears on the list after finishing his time at Nottingham Forest this summer. The Portuguese coach is familiar with the Saudi league due to his past experiences with both Al-Ahli and Al-Shabab.

The club in Jeddah needs to fill the vacancy left by Matthias Jaissle. The German arrived in 2023 and led the team for three seasons, winning two consecutive Asia Champions titles in 2025 and 2026.

Al-Ahli also finished the last Saudi league in third place, behind Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal. The new coach will be tasked with keeping the team competing for national titles and defending its continental dominance.

Saudi Arabia offers Xavi Hernández a familiar project

A move to Saudi Arabia would see Xavi Hernández return to Middle Eastern football. Before taking charge of Barcelona, he managed Al-Sadd in Qatar for over two years, winning seven titles.

His time there allows him to be familiar with work conditions, club structures, and competition dynamics in the region. His approach in Qatar was based on ball possession and organized build-up play from the back.

Xavi also has experience in Spain from coaching Barcelona between November 2021 and May 2024. During that period, he secured a league title and a Spanish Super Cup, both in the 2022-2023 season.

The coach also gave playing time to youth academy products like Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Fermín López, and Alejandro Balde. His work with young players is a valued aspect by the Saudi sports management.

A club with many familiar faces from European football

The Al-Ahli squad includes forwards such as Ivan Toney and Riyad Mahrez, as well as other internationals with experience in European competitions like the recent addition of Francisco Trincao. The next coach will need to manage this group and uphold the performance achieved during Jaissle's tenure.

The Saudi club will continue discussions with the candidates in the coming days. Xavi Hernández has the advantage of being a free agent, but Al-Ahli still needs to compare his financial and sporting conditions with those of Vítor Pereira and Nuno Espírito Santo before making a decision on the coach.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Xavi Hernández a un paso de volver a los banquillos