Xavi delays his retirement until December Football - Qatar Plans had been made to turn to coaching

Al-Sadd have been given a significant boost by the news that Xavi Hernandez has opted to delay his retirement until December, giving the Qatari team an extra few months with him in the team.

The Spanish midfielder turned 38 in January, however, he's keen to extend his playing career for a little while longer before moving into a coaching role.

Whilst the decision hasn't yet been officially announced, the former Barcelona captain will stay as part of the playing staff until midway through the new Qatari season.

The current campaign has just concluded, and originally this is when he was due to depart.

Al-Sadd also have the small matter of their participation in the final rounds of the Asian Champions League, and being involved in such a prestigious tournament is thought to have encouraged Xavi to reconsider.

It has already been agreed that upon retiring, the World Cup winner will take on the coaching position at the club, although he's eager for there to be next to no overlap between his duties as a player and a coach.

As soon as he makes his retirement official, Xavi will be appointed as the club's head coach, and whilst this hasn't yet been made public yet, a contract has been agreed in principle for two years.

There is a route to the top for the Spaniard in terms of his coaching career, so he will begin his journey in 2019 with Al-Sadd, with the intention of reaching the very top level.

It's possible he may even coach Qatar at the 2022 World Cup which the nation is set to host, provided there isn't any further geopolitical instability in the region.