Catalan coach Xavi Hernández has not managed any club since leaving FC Barcelona in June 2024. Now he may be on his way to Saudi Arabia.
46-year-old Xavi Hernández is in the plans of Al-Ahli, who are looking for a replacement for Matthias Jaissle. The German left the club after three seasons at the helm – and now the Saudis are looking for a new manager.
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The sporting management, with Rui Pedro at the helm, has already started talks with several candidates. Xavi is among the top picks – along with Vítor Pereira and Nuno Espírito Santo. So far, no agreement is in place.
Xavi – free and current
Xavi’s contract situation makes him very interesting. He has been out of work since leaving Barcelona in May 2024, and Al-Ahli therefore does not need to negotiate compensation with any other club.
That gives him an advantage over Nuno Espírito Santo, who has a contract with West Ham. The English were relegated from the Premier League last season, and any transfer for the Portuguese first requires a solution to his current deal.
Vítor Pereira is also relevant. He finished his stay at Nottingham Forest this summer, and knows the Saudi Arabian league well from previous stays at both Al-Ahli and Al-Shabab.
Two Asian titles in a row
Al-Ahli needs a new boss after Jaissle left the club. The German arrived in 2023 and led the team for three seasons, with two consecutive Asian Champions League titles in 2025 and 2026 being highlights.
The club also finished third in the Saudi Arabian league last season, behind Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal. The new manager will be tasked with fighting for national titles and defending continental dominance.
Knows the region well
A possible stay in Saudi Arabia will not be Xavi’s first encounter with Middle Eastern football. Before taking over Barcelona, he managed Al-Sadd in Qatar for over two years – winning seven titles there.
His time in Qatar means that he knows the working conditions, club structures and competitive dynamics in the region. His approach in Qatar was based on possession and organised build-up from his own half of the pitch.
Xavi also has experience from Spain, where he coached Barcelona between November 2021 and May 2024. During that period, he secured a league championship and a Spanish Super Cup – both in the 2022/23 season.
Star Gallery in Jeddah
Al-Ahli’s squad includes several well-known names from European football, including Ivan Toney, Riyad Mahrez and Francisco Trincão – who recently arrived. The new coach will have to deal with this star-studded group and maintain the level of Jaissle’s tenure.
The club will continue discussions with the candidates in the days to come. Xavi Hernández has the advantage of being a free, but Al-Ahli still has to compare financial and sporting conditions with Vítor Pereira and Nuno Espírito Santo before making a final decision.
One thing is for sure: Xavi could soon be back on the sidelines – in Saudi Arabia.
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