Xavi has expressed his excitement after being appointed as the new Barcelona manager, iterating that the club’s fans are his people.
Speaking after the confirmation of his appointment as the new Barcelona manager, as quoted by reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Xavi Hernandez has expressed his delight at sealing his return to the club in a managerial capacity, iterating that he is back at his home.
Xavi enjoyed a storied playing career wherein he was a pivotal figure for club and country for well over a decade. An all-time great for Spain and Barcelona, the former midfielder is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers ever to have played the game.
The 41-year-old spent nearly two-and-a-half decades at Barcelona, going from an academy hopeful to club captain, all while being one of their most important players during his senior footballing career. During his stint with the Blaugrana, Xavi played 767 games while chipping in with 85 goals and 185 assists along the way.
He also won 25 trophies over a 17-year senior stint with Barcelona before playing the last four years of his career with Al Sadd. Since his retirement, Xavi has gone into management, starting right where he ended his playing career. However, for quite some time now, it has been known that the Barcelona legend is eager to return to Camp Nou one day in the form of their manager.
His appointment then became almost inevitable when Barcelona confirmed the dismissal of Ronald Koeman following a disastrous start to the 2021/22 season. Joan Laporta later admitted that he could have pulled the plug on Koeman’s stint as the new manager earlier than he did.
Nevertheless, a new phase beckons Barcelona following the appointment of Xavi as their new first-team boss. And after the confirmation of his new job, the 41-year-old expressed his delight at sealing his return to Barcelona.
Xavi said, “Camp Nou has always been my home. Barcelona fans are my people, mi genta. Barça, the club I love. And now I’m back home. See you soon, Barcelona.”
Barcelona are enduring their worst phase for well over a decade and are in serious need of a major turnaround in fortunes. With a revered figure returning to Camp Nou, Barcelona fans will hope that Xavi can facilitate such a turnaround and quickly so after a couple of miserable years for the fans.
