HENRIK LARSSON has been named Barcelona’s new assistant manager as he links up with Ronald Koeman.
The former Barca striker has rekindled his relationship with the new Nou Camp chief – with whom he played at Feyenoord between 1995 and 1997 – to take on the role of coach.
Henrik Larsson, right, and Alfred Schreuder, left, have joined Ronald Koeman’s coaching staffCredit: EPA
Larsson won four trophies as a player at Barcelona, including the Champions LeagueCredit: AP:Associated Press
Larsson is joined by set-piece expert Alfred Schreuder in joining Koeman’s new-look backroom staff.
The pair have both signed two-year contracts, with Barca wasting no time in overhauling the team on and off the pitch following Quique Setien’s sacking.
A club statement read: “Barcelona have reached an agreement with Alfred Schreuder and Henrik Larsson.
“They will join the coaching staff, headed by new coach Ronald Koeman.
“Both have signed contracts through to June 30, 2022.”
Larsson has been coaching in his native Sweden, working with Falkenberg and Helsingborg.
Meanwhile, Schreuder is well-regarded as a set-piece expert having worked with teams in Holland and Germany.
He was part of the backroom team who took lead Ajax – including now-Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong – to the brink of the Champions League final in 2018-19.
But Larsson, particularly, knows how to win at Barcelona.
In two seasons at the Nou Camp between 2004 and 2006, Larsson won the LaLiga title TWICE, as well as the Champions League crown.
All in all, he scored 22 goals in 62 games while also helping to win the Spanish Super Cup.
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Now Larsson, along with Koeman and Schreuder, faces the unenviable task of trying to lead a Barcelona team in disarray back to the top of European football.
Barca limply conceded the LaLiga title after a late collapse before being dumped out of the Champions League in an 8-2 mauling by Bayern Munich.
Lionel Messi is just one player to voice his concerns and has suggested he will quit the club – along with Gerard Pique.
Just seven players at Barcelona have been deemed “untouchable” by under-fire Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu.
The rest are all up for grabs in the transfer window, with many actively being pushed out of the Nou Camp.
The likes of Luis Suarez are set to be sold – with Ajax thought to be close to a £13.5million deal.
Koeman is acting quickly to get his squad ready – and is hoping to sign Lyon star Memphis Depay as one of his first acts as boss.
Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman says he doesn’t know if he has to convince Messi to stay
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
