Xavi Pascual signs contract until 2028
Xavi Pascual has returned to the Palau Blaugrana. The coach from Gavà, near Barcelona, began his first day of his second spell at the Club by signing his contract in president Joan Laporta's office. The deal signed on Monday ties him to the club until June 2028.
"It’s been a beautiful day; I’ve regained that sensation of the journey from home to the Palau Blaugrana," said Xavi Pascual. "The season has started and, little by little, we need to guide the team toward the path that we want, which is to make Barça fans happy and ensure the team reflects the club’s values. And, if possible, that the team is close to competing on all fronts."
The new coach also commented that "the fans at the Palau are extraordinary but demanding. Whether we win or lose, we have to give them something. The DNA we’ve had for so many years must always come first, and we need to create that identity so fans feel excited and connected to the team." Now, after nine years away and spells at Panathinaikos and Zenit, he assures that "I’m a coach with more experience. Living in different places gives you a lot, and that helps you try to do things properly, which is what we need to do now."
The signing was also attended by Josep Cubells, who welcomed him back after nine years away from Barça: "We’re very happy. A coach returns who started in our first spell and finished gloriously with the EuroLeague title in Paris."
Furthermore, sporting manager Juan Carlos Navarro added: "We’re very happy to have him back home. When we decided to change coaches, there was only one name on the table. He’s a very experienced, very methodical coach and will make the team more solid defensively. We’re still at the start of the season and there’s time for everything." Navarro also expressed his gratitude to interim coach Òscar Orellana: "It’s been a very tough week, and he managed three victories, lifting spirits at the Palau."
Starting the second spell
After nearly a decade away from Barcelona, Pascual resumes where he left off in 2016, accompanied by assistant coach Iñigo Zorzano. During that time, he also claimed 19 trophies (one EuroLeague, four ACB leagues, three Copas, and seven Catalan Leagues).
This Monday, Pascual begins a week with two away games. On Thursday, Barça are in Turkey to take on Anadolu EFES (6.30pm CET), and on Sunday, they will play in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (7.00pm CET). Pascual’s return to the Palau Blaugrana will be on Wednesday, 26 November, against ASVEL Villeurbanne at 8.30pm CET.
