FCBARCELONA.CAT

09.02.2009 15:01

New course for Barça Borges

Verónica Díez

Xavi Pascual has been presented this Monday as the new Barça Borges coach. Section director Jaume Ferrer and technical secretary Enric Masip were also at the event.

Xavi Pascual has replaced Manolo Cadenas as FC Barcelona handball coach. Ferrer, Masip and Pascual were optimistic about the new challenges facing the side. “We’re taking a fresh approach to the situation,” said Masip.

The new coach has faith in his squad and believes he can turn the team around and win silverware.

“I’ve got the best squad I could have”

Xavi Pascual has complete faith in his players and believes they are good enough to win silverware. He is also proud to have been chosen as Barça Borges coach. “Every player wants to reach the first team and some day be a coach, so for me it’s a dream and a challenge,” he said.

Sports reasons only

Jaume Ferrer made it clear that “Manolo Cadenas has been replaced for sports reasons only and now the team is entering a new phase and we hope the players gain confidence and can win titles.”

Defeat in Valladolid the trigger

According to Enric Masip the team’s loss this weekend at Pevafersa Valladolid (30-27) triggered the ousting of Manolo Cadenas. “In December we lost our League lead by losing at home to Ciudad Real, the current leaders,” he said. “Then we lost the Asobal Cup which is especially painful, so before things get worse we’ve decided to make a change.”

“The team hasn’t won anything important for a year and a half and we need to win,” he added. “We want to be first, not second.” The team began this season by winning the Spanish Super Cup, but that isn’t enough according to Masip.

Looking ahead and being positive

Masip says that at the moment the team needs to be optimistic and learn from its mistakes. “It’s not a question of pinning the blame on one person as we’re all responsible from players to management,” he argued. “I’m not disappointed; it’s just that things haven’t gone as we’d hoped.”