Former Atletico Madrid captain Gabi Fernandez is currently plying his trade for Xavi's side Al-Sadd. More than one month afterwards, he opened up for the first time on Barcelona's failed attempt to bring their ex-midfielder to the Camp Nou stadium as Ernesto Valverde's replacement.
Gabi told El Larguero, as quoted by Sport: "Everything was a bit of a circus. Barcelona's image during these types of situations doesn't make Xavi look bad, but it looks bad for all of the 'Barcelonismo'."
He added: "We didn't know anything until he mentioned that Barca came for him and he's turned them down to stay with us."
When asked on Xavi's future, Gabi replied: "It'll be Xavi who decides when it's time to go back to Barcelona."
As a reminder, Xavi Hernandez was contacted by Eric Abidal and Oscar Grau after Barcelona lost to Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Supercopa. Apparently, the club wanted him to replace misfiring Ernesto Valverde.
However, the 40-year-old rejected this offer. He later said that it was 'too soon' for him to return to Camp Nou.
