Thousands of followers flocked to the Camp Nou to welcome Xavi Hernandez as Barcelona’s new coach on Monday, hoping he might flip the membership’s fortunes round after Lionel Messi’s disappointing begin to his first season.
Xavi, who flourished at Barcelona’s facet for a number of years when Paris Saint-Germain ahead Messi was additionally on the identical workforce, was formally launched at a reception that was normally solely given to high gamers. Supporters chanted his title and waved membership flags within the stands.
Xavi, 41, who has signed a contract till June 2024, waved again and despatched kisses to the group after coming into the sector with President Joan Laporta.
chant his title pic.twitter.com/qnwtkjFJum
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 8, 2021
“I’m so excited,” Xavi instructed followers. “We are the best club in the world and we will work hard to be successful. Barca cannot be satisfied with a draw or a loss. We have to win every match.”
“Leo Messi wrote to want me the perfect. He is unbelievable however he’s not right here as Ato’o or Ronaldinho … We have to consider the longer term, not the gamers who are actually right here at Barca I’m not,” Xavi stated on the press convention.
I’m pals with Leo…he wrote to me and wished me a number of good needs.
— Xavi on Messi pic.twitter.com/usrz6elrZx
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 8, 2021
Xavi revealed that he had spoken with Messi: “Leo Messi texted me to wish me the best. He is incredible but he is not here as Ato’o or Ronaldinho … we have to think about the future It’s not about the players who are no longer here at Barca.” I #FCB pic.twitter.com/Xbdw1BT3aP
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 8, 2021
He stated he was impressed by the welcome and shouted slogans with the group. Some of his relations had been additionally on the sector throughout his presentation.
Xavi all this ️. taking in
(Via @FC Barcelona) pic.twitter.com/K2N1m6NBYr
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 8, 2021
“We need you,” Xavi instructed followers. “Especially during the bad times. We are in a difficult position as a club. We need you more than ever.”
Xavi was employed final week to switch Ronald Koeman, who couldn’t make it to the workforce amid one among its worst crises on and off the sector this season. He is with the membership in ninth place within the Spanish league and second in its Champions League group.
He returns to a membership mired in monetary difficulties and finds a workforce that’s combating accidents and younger gamers haven’t been signed.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Xavi instructed the Barcelona web site earlier on Monday. “I know the club is going through a tough time but I think I am ready.”
Anu Fati and Eric Garcia are the newest gamers to be added to the membership’s damage record, alongside Sergio Aguero and Gerard Pique.
Xavi faces a tough schedule, along with his first match in cost being the league derby towards Espanyol at Camp Nou on 20 November. The membership subsequent host Benfica in a match that might determine its destiny within the Champions League, a contest during which it has not didn’t advance from the group stage in almost twenty years.
Barcelona’s subsequent matches are at Villarreal, towards Real Betis and within the Champions League at Bayern Munich.
Xavi will lead the workforce in coaching for the primary time on Tuesday, though many of the workforce’s high gamers will likely be on worldwide obligation.
Barcelona had been coached by interim supervisor Sergi Barjuan, who’s now again with the membership’s “B” squad. In the three matches underneath his command, the workforce drew 1–1 with Alavés, gained the Champions League 1–0 at Dynamo Kiev and misplaced a three-goal lead 3–3 at Celta Vigo on Saturday. Drawn from
Xavi performed for Barcelona till 2015, serving to the membership win 25 trophies, together with 4 Champions Leagues and eight Spanish league appearances in 17 seasons. He was additionally instrumental in Spain’s race for the title when it gained the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
He had been at Al-Saad since leaving Barcelona, first as a participant after which as a coach. He leaves after 9 matches with the workforce on the high of the Qatari league because it makes an attempt to retain its title.
Xavi turned down his first likelihood to teach Barcelona after Ernesto Valverde was fired mid-season in January 2020. He stated that he was not absolutely ready at the moment.
Xavi’s former teammates nonetheless within the workforce embody Pique, Jordi Alba, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Sergio Busquets.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
