After assuming his new position, Xavi announced, according to Spanish media reports, that he would seek to impose order in Barcelona, which he applied on the ground after imposing a fine on French international Osman Dembele for being late in training on Friday.
And, according to the Spanish newspaper “Marca”, quoting the “ESBN” network, it imposed a fine on Dembele (the value of which was not disclosed), for being 3 minutes late for Barcelona training.
The Spanish newspaper pointed out that the former Qatari Al-Sadd coach imposed strict rules on Barcelona players, as he prevented Gerard Pique from appearing on a popular TV show a few days after Xavi’s arrival.
Barcelona sacked Ronald Koeman after the Catalan team lost 0-1 to Rayo Vallecano in the league last month, which was the team’s fourth defeat in 6 matches in all competitions.
Xavi joined Al Sadd as a player in 2015 after spending 17 successful years in the ranks of Barcelona, and then took over the training of the Qatari team after retiring from playing in 2019.
And last April, Xavi led Al Sadd to win the local league title without defeat.
The former player refused an opportunity to take over Barcelona coach in January 2020 after the dismissal of Ernesto Valverde, but the expectations that linked him to leading the Catalan technical staff continued even after Koeman took over the task following the departure of Quique Setien, August 2020.
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