Ahmed Khellil Abbassi is the president of the Qatari Football League. Last November he saw one of his championship coaches, Xavi Hernandez, leave the emirate to return to Barcelona. Far from blaming him, Khellil Abbasi believes that Xavi is able to succeed in Barça’s mission.
Qatar, the small rising country, is rising on the football planet. In a year, the small emirate will host the final of the 2022 World Cup organized entirely in this country barely larger than Corsica. While all eyes are focused on this event and the national team, we should not forget that Qatar has a championship more and more on the side. The Qatar League welcomes some good names on the pitch and on the bench. Among these, Laurent Blanc on the bench of Al-Rayyan and players like Santi Cazorla, James Rodriguez or the world champion Steven Nzonzi. The Qatari championship is one of the best on the Asian continent and its ambition remains high. So when one of its most famous coaches goes into full competition, the frustration can be significant.
Xavi, the man for the job in Barcelona
On the bench of Al-Sadd for two years, Xavi Hernandez was able to make his debut as a coach in the Qatari championship. Known and recognized in the small emirate, the legend of FC Barcelona has won five trophies including a league title and a national cup. However, last November, he decided to return to Europe to take up the challenge of relaunching his former club. A departure that did not anger the president of the Qatari league, Ahmed Khellil Abbassi. The young man understands the departure of the Spanish international and even explains to Marca’s journalists that he has no doubts about the latter’s success with the Blaugranas.
« I know Xavi. I know his way of thinking and I know he is capable of making big changes. I know his motivation. I know he really wants to work very, very hard and that he knows everything about the championship. This gives you a great advantage. He has the support of the fans. He has the support of the players. You know how to win the locker room and you know how to win games. Now this is going to take some time and everyone needs to support Xavi to give them the time and resources to make these big changes. […] Of course, it won’t be easy. It’s going to be very, very difficult. And other clubs will also try to improve more and more. Xavi has a great project in hand, I am very confident. I think he is capable of succeeding in Barcelona. », He explains. Especially since a success of Xavi would do a good promotion of the Qatari championship, especially among renowned unemployed coaches.
