Former Barcelona player Xavi Haarnandez vows to restore orderliness back to the team as he is appointed the new manager.
New Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez ready to set rules for the players to restore order as he takes over at club.
The 41 years old was announced as a replacement for Ronald Koeman’s the weekend after an agreement was reached to rescind his contract with Al Sadd.
He was presented in front of almost 10,000 supporters at Camp Nou on Monday, signing his contract on the pitch in front of his family.
Xavi, who made 767 appearances for the club as a player, takes over with Barca winless in four LaLiga games and languishing in ninth place in the table.
“I think at first, it’s important that we put rules in place and be more demanding with ourselves,” Xavi said when asked how he would try to turn things around.
“After that, we can talk about values, about respect and attitude, because if we don’t have values, we don’t have a team. Then we can look at the model, how we play, how we attack, how we defend.
“At the end of the day, the idea is the same as [Johan] Cruyff’s. My first defender is the striker, and my first attacker is the goalkeeper. We have to work tactically, press high and dominate the ball.
“It’s not about being tough but having rules. I will try to help the players, personally and professionally. I know how taxing it is psychologically to play for this club.”
