Joan Peñarroya: 'We have the tools to put in a great season'

The FC Barcelona basketball team saw its new coach, Joan Peñarroya, officially presented to the media on Monday. The Catalan coach was accompanied by the board member responsible for basketball, Josep Cubells, the manager of the basketball section Juan Carlos Navarro, and members of the new coach's family and coaching staff. 

"I want to thank Barça for giving me the chance to coach a great team like this one. I come with real enthusiasm, a lot of ambition and responsibility, knowing that there is a tough job to be done," began Peñarroya.

"I am sure there will be difficult moments but we have the tools to put in a great season. Now is the time to build but my job is to make sure that the Palau and the fans are happy with what they see each week.

"I am one to work on things day by day but I know that the fans in the Palau are experts and used to seeing great teams. My CV tells you my teams have their own stamp and the objective is to get across what the fans want to see," continued the new Barça coach. 

On his style of play, the coach explained that he did not want to "put a brand to his offensive and defensive play" and that he will "adapt to the virtues of the squad." 

"What I do want is to play good basketball so the team is competitive and the fans enjoy it...now is the moment to build and prepare the team but the objectives are clear because we are Barça. We have to fight to win every competition we are in," added Peñarroya. 

Josep Cubells: "He is the right person to leads this project"

The board member responsible for basketball, Josep Cubells, welcomed the new coach and accompanied him at the press conference. "We have chose Joan Peñarroya because he is a coach who has experience in the ACB and the Euroleague, as well as winning trophies," said Cubells before adding: "We wanted a coach who has a clear idea, a stamp, that chimes with ours. For that reason we think he is the ideal person to lead this project. We have a lot of hope placed in our choice." 

Basketball section manager Juan Carlos Navarro summed up the arrival of the new boss: "Last season there were a few details missing and this year we think we can achieve our objectives. We needed to make a change and the role of the coach is important. We have to thank Roger Grimau for the work he put in but now we are going with Joan for his character and experience." 

Contract signed 

Before the presentation press conference, Joan Peñarroya signed his new contract as Barça basketball coach in the Club offices alongside club president Joan Laporta, who welcomed him and wished him the best, alongside Josep Cubells, Juan Carlos Navarro and Mario Bruno Fernández, the sporting director. Peñarroya was accompanied by his wife, children and his parents.