The club have confirmed the promotion of Sergi Barjuan from the ‘B’ team to the first team. Barjuan will replace the departed Ronald Koeman on an interim basis while the club continues its attempts to bring in Xavi Hernandez on a full-time contract.
Barjuan will take over the responsibilities from the dismissed Ronald Koeman, albeit only on an interim basis, as the club continues its search for his full-time successor. The Spaniard will be relieved from his interim position as soon as Barcelona finalize a full-time appointment – thought to be Xavi Hernandez by several journalists.
Barcelona released the following statement confirming the same. They also announced that president Joan Laporta will introduce Barjuan to his new team on Thursday afternoon, while he will face the media for the first time the following day.
“FC Barcelona hereby announces that Sergi Barjuan, the current coach of Barça B, shall be taking provisional charge of the technical management of the senior squad. His interim position as the first-team head coach shall end as soon as the club has hired full-time head coach to replace the dismissed Ronald Koeman,”
the club confirmed.
Barjuan, an ex-Barca player, took charge of Barcelona B this summer, following understated spells as the head coach of Spanish outfits Recreativo, Almeria, and Mallorca, and a short stint at Chinese side Hangzhou Greentown.
While Barjuan takes charge of Barcelona’s home tie in the league against Alaves, the club is expected to continue their pursuit of Xavi Hernandez in the background. The former Barca player is highly regarded at the club and was the face of presidential candidate Victor Font’s unsuccessful campaign.
Xavi has been the manager of Qatar-based Al Sadd since 2019, delivering a league title and six domestic cups. The Guardian reports that ex-Barca captain has accepted the club’s proposal to lead the senior team as head coach, and the club is now attempting to secure his release from Al Sadd.
