Barcelona's new coach Luis Enrique has promised a fresh start for the fallen Spanish ex-champions at his official presentation, vowing "attractive, effective" football to make fans smile again.
"This is a very special day full of hope," said the club's 44-year-old former goalscorer and B-team coach, who was named on Monday to replace Gerardo Martino after a trophyless season.
"It is the day we begin to build a new Barca, a Barca that can have hope, a Barca that gets all the results we are looking for," said Enrique, who left Celta Vigo to rejoin his old club.
"I am hoping for a very attractive and very effective team," said Enrique, vowing to focus on tough training sessions and teamwork as well as chasing new signings.
Barcelona narrowly missed out on the league title in a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid on May 17. That sealed the Catalan team's first season without a major trophy in six years.
The club has already announced the signing of a new goalkeeper, 22-year-old German international Marc-Andre Ter Stegen from Borussia Monchengladbach, and the return of Rafinha Alcantara and Gerard Delofeu from spells on loan.
Enrique promised more new arrivals to try to make Barca's passing game more unpredictable.
"We will reinforce the squad, in every area if possible," he said on Wednesday.
The just-ended season saw the departures of injured veteran defender and captain Carles Puyol and two goalkeepers, Victor Valdes and Jose Manuel Pinto. Enrique said others could follow.
But Argentine star striker Lionel Messi signed a new contract despite a disappointing season and Enrique said that the goalscorer was "necessary and indispensable".
He also praised Messi's countryman and midfield teammate Javier Mascherano, hinting that he could make a good captain to replace Puyol.
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