Celtic legend Henrik Larsson has secured his first-ever trophy in coaching after bagging the Copa del Rey with Barcelona.
Larsson is currently one of two assistants working under Barca manager Ronald Koeman. And despite a roller-coaster debut campaign at the Nou Camp, they’ve managed to bag a cup win after a trophy-less campaign last season under the previous regime.
Barcelona mauled Athletic Bilbao 4-0 at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville [BBC]. Ironically, Larsson’s first trophy in coaching has come at the stadium that has caused him the biggest heartbreak of his career. The La Cartuja venue is where Celtic lost to Porto in the 2003 UEFA Cup final. Now, however, the Hoops icon has a fond memory to link to the stadium.
The success may not end there either. Barcelona are only two points behind Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga. After what had been a troubling start to Koeman’s tenure, his side are finding their feet. And after a disappointing Champions League exit to PSG, they could still reign as domestic kings once again.
For Larsson personally, the win ends a 12-year wait to win his first trophy as a coach – albeit an assistant one. He started his managerial career with Landskrona BOIS in 2009. Since then he’s managed Falkenberg and Helsingborgs on two occasions. Not one of those spells managed to reap any tangible rewards, and that’s what will make yesterday all the sweeter.
Celtic fans still dream of Henrik Larsson as a future manager; Barcelona opportunity could be the making of him
It’s unclear as to where Larsson stands with regards to his own managerial ambitions. He’s had several spells in coaching that could easily put him off becoming his own man in the future.
However, building a dynasty with Barcelona could be the re-inventing of him. A chance to build up a successful legacy in Spain and bag valuable experience as his regime look to rebuild the club and make it the world’s biggest once again.
It’s difficult to gauge just how much of an impression Larsson needs to make in management before he becomes eligible for the Celtic job. Some would take him immediately due to sheer sentimentality alone. Others would likely want to see what he can do in charge of a relatively decent-sized club first before even thinking about it.
There’s no denying Larsson wouldn’t need to do as much as others to become Celtic boss. Similar to Neil Lennon in that way but to an even greater extent. Larsson has earned an easier path to Parkhead given what he’s done for the football club.
Then again, it could be the case that he eyes being Koeman’s successor when the day comes for the Dutchman to move on. Barcelona are well known for bringing through coaches of their own. It would be interesting to know if they have their eyes on Henrik in that regard.
In any case, it’s great to see him off the mark with trophy-wise with last night’s Copa del Rey. Hopefully, it marks the first of many in what will no doubt be a sensational adventure for him at the Nou Camp.
In other news, this cocky Ibrox player has written our team talk today; time to take care of business.
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