Day one: The Xavi Hernandez era begins at FC Barcelona

New eras usually bring good intentions and a desire to change things but, above all, exciement. The return of Xavi Hernandez to Camp Nou has done just that so far after many months of disappointment at Barcelona. Too many. Bringing Xavi back as coach has generated hope and expectation, something that's been absent for too long.

The next chapter begins on Monday. After 767 games as a player, Xavi begins a new adventure on the bench, following on from Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique, to try and perfect a style proposed by Johan Cruyff. Performances and results will determine Xavi's success, but the ex-La Masia graduate has all the ingredients to deliver a cocktail that revitalises Barça and returns the protagonism to the ball.

There is no doubt Xavi has a lot of work ahead of him. And it won't be easy. He arrives midseason to lead a project he has not designed. At least he has the two-week international break to start with -- although he will be without the internationals (Jordi Alba, Busquets, Gavi, Coutinho, Araujo, Ter Stegen, De Jong, Memphis, Lenglet and Demir) and the injured players (Sergi Roberto, Dest, Piqué, Pedri, Dembélé, Braithwaite, Agüero, Ansu Fati, Eric Garcia and Nico) when he takes training on Tuesday with Espantol on Nov. 20 in mind.

"Training will be demanding and we will compete," was Xavi's declaration of intent after arriving in Barcelona from Doha on Saturday after lengthy negotiations with Al Sadd.

With one phrase, he touched base on a plan to try and make the club be respected in all senses once again, but above all on the pitch. Things can go better or worse, but the team will not negotiate on their philosophy or understanding of the game. The moment to change history has arrived: If not for reaching excellence, at least for how they try. A new era begins. The Xavi era.