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Tribune News Network
Doha
New Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez says the opportunity to manage the Qatari league champions is a huge honour and has expressed his thanks for being appointed to the position.
Speaking exclusively to the club website during the pre-season camp in Spain, Xavi said: “I am very grateful to the president of the club, the management and the players for their trust in me. It is true that this is the first coaching job for me but it is a superb feeling, because I know all the players.
“Also, the staff who are with me have a lot of experience on the pitch in many countries, and therefore will be of great help to me.”
Xavi who joined the Wolves in 2015 announced his retirement at the end of last season, winning the QNB Stars League, The Amir Cup and Qatar Cup with Al Sadd.
“I think it’s an added advantage that I know the players, the club and the country and I will start applying my ideas. Everyone knows that I love attacking football and to keep posssession of the ball; doing that from the start will be a great feeling.
“Everything is excellent here at the camp, in my country and in Catalonia specifically.”
Al Sadd are currently on a pre-season camp ahead of their title defence this season. On finally speaking to the players as coach, Xavi said, “My first discussion with the players was very interesting and fruitful. I made it clear to them on the first day that I am very happy to be with them and grateful for the opportunity that I have got. I started by explaining to them the way I want to play and the ideas that I will implement on the pitch. I also told them that we are here to create happiness together, to enjoy and to win.
“Throughout my sporting career as a player, I have been used to winning and now I want to keep winning as a coach. I told them that I am here to help them as individuals and also as players. Our duty as a group is to win and enjoy on and off the pitch. It is a big honour that I get to be the coach of this great group of players, because I know that they have great respect and character and they will do all that I ask of them on the pitch.”
“Everyone expects a lot from me and I am used to it, playing under pressure. I played for many years at Barcelona under this kind of pressure; it’s a normal thing for me. This is the life that I am used to; having to compete. If I had not lived this kind of life, I would have been missing something important. I am very happy, here at Al Sadd; we are the best in Qatar and we are here to win. We may play under pressure but we are the best team,” the former Barcelona legend added.
Upcoming AFC Champions League and Sheikh Jassim Cup clash against Al Duhail
Al Sadd have a tough AFC Champions League round of 16 match against rivals Al Duhail in a repeat of the Amir Cup final which Al Duhail won.
Asked about Al Sadd’s AFC Champions League and the Sheikh Jassim Cup against Al Duhail, Xavi said, “Al Duhail are one of the best teams, not just in Doha, but in the Middle East. We know them well and my last game against them was in the Amir Cup final. In football, there are always opportunities to make amends and we now have a big challenge ahead of us, in the AFC Champions League and in the Super Cup. We will be ready to compete. We don’t know what will happen but we will compete.
“With regards to the fans, I want to promise them that we will give our best. I cannot promise results but we will compete for all the titles and give our best, because we are the best team in Qatar.”
Doha
New Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez says the opportunity to manage the Qatari league champions is a huge honour and has expressed his thanks for being appointed to the position.
Speaking exclusively to the club website during the pre-season camp in Spain, Xavi said: “I am very grateful to the president of the club, the management and the players for their trust in me. It is true that this is the first coaching job for me but it is a superb feeling, because I know all the players.
“Also, the staff who are with me have a lot of experience on the pitch in many countries, and therefore will be of great help to me.”
Xavi who joined the Wolves in 2015 announced his retirement at the end of last season, winning the QNB Stars League, The Amir Cup and Qatar Cup with Al Sadd.
“I think it’s an added advantage that I know the players, the club and the country and I will start applying my ideas. Everyone knows that I love attacking football and to keep posssession of the ball; doing that from the start will be a great feeling.
“Everything is excellent here at the camp, in my country and in Catalonia specifically.”
Al Sadd are currently on a pre-season camp ahead of their title defence this season. On finally speaking to the players as coach, Xavi said, “My first discussion with the players was very interesting and fruitful. I made it clear to them on the first day that I am very happy to be with them and grateful for the opportunity that I have got. I started by explaining to them the way I want to play and the ideas that I will implement on the pitch. I also told them that we are here to create happiness together, to enjoy and to win.
“Throughout my sporting career as a player, I have been used to winning and now I want to keep winning as a coach. I told them that I am here to help them as individuals and also as players. Our duty as a group is to win and enjoy on and off the pitch. It is a big honour that I get to be the coach of this great group of players, because I know that they have great respect and character and they will do all that I ask of them on the pitch.”
“Everyone expects a lot from me and I am used to it, playing under pressure. I played for many years at Barcelona under this kind of pressure; it’s a normal thing for me. This is the life that I am used to; having to compete. If I had not lived this kind of life, I would have been missing something important. I am very happy, here at Al Sadd; we are the best in Qatar and we are here to win. We may play under pressure but we are the best team,” the former Barcelona legend added.
Upcoming AFC Champions League and Sheikh Jassim Cup clash against Al Duhail
Al Sadd have a tough AFC Champions League round of 16 match against rivals Al Duhail in a repeat of the Amir Cup final which Al Duhail won.
Asked about Al Sadd’s AFC Champions League and the Sheikh Jassim Cup against Al Duhail, Xavi said, “Al Duhail are one of the best teams, not just in Doha, but in the Middle East. We know them well and my last game against them was in the Amir Cup final. In football, there are always opportunities to make amends and we now have a big challenge ahead of us, in the AFC Champions League and in the Super Cup. We will be ready to compete. We don’t know what will happen but we will compete.
“With regards to the fans, I want to promise them that we will give our best. I cannot promise results but we will compete for all the titles and give our best, because we are the best team in Qatar.”
