FCBARCELONA.CAT

22.06.2007 14:44

Cadenas relishing the Barça challenge

Meritxell Infante

Manolo Cadenas has arrived at FC Barcelona and is aware of what a big move taking over the management of Barça Cifec is in his impressive career.

Manolo Cadenas has been officially unveiled as the new head coach of the club’s handball first team, Barça Cifec. Joined in the event by President Joan Laporta and technical secretary Enric Masip, Cadenas has offered his thoughts on the challenges that lie ahead. “I think leaving Ademar and coming to Barcelona is the best thing that could have happened to me” he said. The new manager was not used to being surrounded by so many people from the media, and was amazed at the interest his arrival at the Catalan club has aroused.

Winning at the Palau

He has spent the last 12 years of his life at Ademar León, and considers it an honour for his former club that a club has big as Barcelona should have made a move for him. As Ademar coach, Manolo Cadenas has an excellent record at the Palau Blaugrana, where he has won no fewer than three times. “I’ll be winning a lot more games at the Palau now” he joked. “I hope to have beaten my personal record in just three home games.”

He went on to say that “it is a huge challenge to emulate what has been achieved by some great people, and I have to give a special mention to Valero Rivera. Continuing his legacy means doing the best I possibly can.” He also praised outgoing coach, Xesco Espar, saying “despite all the rumours going around, he has made me feel very much at home.”

Team understanding

Discipline is something Cadenas takes very seriously indeed, although he doesn’t want to come to Barça and impose himself too much. “I would prefer to adapt myself to the club. It is important to have a good understanding with the players.” The most important thing, he says, is to be able transmit something to the fans and the only way to do that is through hard work and consistency. He added that he is pleased with the effort that has been put into signing new players and is impressed by the whole team he is joining at Barcelona.