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Xavi back at Camp Nou: "I will demand a lot from my players"
Photo:
David Ramos / Getty Images
Former Barça professional Xavi Hernández was introduced as the new coach to around 25,000 football fans at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona.
The 41-year-old and club president Joan Laporta signed the coaching contract until June 2024 at a table on the field to the cheers of those present. Ms. Xavis, his parents and several other family members were also present at the presentation.
“This day will shape the history of the club.
Welcome home, Xavi and family, ”said Laporta.
"We need you all, long live Barça!" Said Xavi.
The club management and the fans hope that the 2010 world champion will lead the club out of the deep crisis to new victories.
As a professional, he was once the leading player in the team that won six titles in one year under coach Pep Guardiola, including the Champions League.
Now the once playmaker should lead Barcelona into a successful future.
The supporters of the club apparently trust him, Xavi was celebrated with chants when he was introduced.
And he himself appeared self-confident: “Barça are the best club in the world.
We'll work hard to win titles again, ”said Xavi.
Xavi played for Barça for 24 years, the former midfield genius won 25 titles, and the 41-year-old shaped an era with the famous Tiki-Taka football under Guardiola.
"I feel like I'm coming back home," said Xavi of his return after six years in Qatar with Al-Sadd (as a player and coach).
He succeeds Ronald Koeman in Barcelona.
»We want to have possession, attack, create scoring opportunities.
It's the Barcelona DNA, "said Xavi." I've learned a lot from all of my coaches.
Now is the moment when I have to help the players.
I will ask a lot of my players. "
"We have to win every game"
The club is plagued by 1.3 billion euros in debt, with a loss of 487 million euros last season.
Therefore, club icon Lionel Messi had to leave the club before the season.
The financial crisis is accompanied by a sporting one.
The last championship so far came in 2019, the last title in the premier class in 2015 - with Xavi in the team.
In the league, Barça is currently eleven points behind leaders Real Sociedad and ten points behind arch-rivals Real Madrid in ninth place.
In the Champions League, Bayern Munich's opponents are worried about progress.
But Xavi deliberately awakens memories of old, more successful times in Barcelona: »Barça cannot afford a draw or a defeat.
We have to win every game, ”he said.
On Tuesday he will lead his first training session, the first competitive game will take place after the international break on November 20 in the city derby against Espanyol.
mon / dpa / sid
