To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

New Barcelona Manager Xavi Lays Down The Law With 10 Rules Players Must Follow

New Barcelona Manager Xavi Lays Down The Law With 10 Rules Players Must Follow

The former midfielder is keen to set new standards at Camp Nou, after the disastrous managerial stint of Ronald Koeman

Tom Fenton

Tom Fenton

New Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez isn't wasting any time in his new role, as the former midfielder has already outlined a set of club rules and principles that all players and staff must follow.

The 41-year-old was appointed last week, with his official presentation taking place on Friday in front of the media.

Just a few days into the job, Xavi is now seemingly attempting to implement a new system at the club, beginning with 10 rules for the club's playing staff.

According to Spanish outlet AS, the former Al Saad gaffer introduced the rules just a few days into his reign, in an attempt to turn around Barca's dire form this season.

Image
PA

The Copa Del Rey holders currently sit 10th in La Liga with just four wins from 12 games, meaning that wholesale changes could now be in order after the exit of Ronald Koeman.



Xavi's 10 new squad rules are as follows:

1. Players must arrive 90 minutes before training start

2. Staff must arrive two hours before training starts

3. Players must eat at the club's training ground

4. Fines have returned

5. Fines will be doubled for repeat offences/offenders

6. Players must be home before midnight two days before a game

7. Players must give their all in training

8. Player's off-field activity will be monitored

9. 'Risky' activities are no longer permitted

10. A good image is essential

There is a strong theme among the 10 rules, as players will be afforded fewer freedoms than they were under the previous manager.

Evidently a stickler for punctuality, rules around being on time for training are fairly common, but the final few rules are arguably the most interesting - and biggest departures from what was previously accepted.

Rules such as not engaging in 'risky' activities, and maintaining a good brand image are open to interpretation, but they both suggest that Xavi was not best pleased with how the players at Barca were behaving before his arrival.

The reintroduction of fines is also a contentious point, as similar policies have been known to cause rifts within dressing rooms historically.

While this is just one change that Xavi is bringing to Camp Nou, it's a perfect representation of the Spaniard's desire to establish new standards at the club, which have clearly fallen since the likes of Luis Enrique and Pep Guardiola were at the helm.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics:ย Barcelona, La Liga