The Argentine becomes the new man in charge at the Nou Camp.
FC Barcelona have announced that Gerardo Martino, or Tata as the 50-year-old is better known, will take over the role of head coach at the club after Tito Vilanova resigned from the position due to health problems.
Tata has signed a three-year deal at the Nou Camp and will take over in Catalonia with immediate effect.
Martino has played and managed in South America for the Argentinian’s entire career to date and as a result it something on a unknown entity in European football.
Not that it is a slight on the boss’ resume though, as Tata has won the league title in Paraguay with Libertad and Cerro Porteno, as well as in Argentina with Newell’s Old Boys – a club that voted the South American their greatest ever player.
The new Barca manager was also national team coach of Paraguay between 2006 and 2011, leading the side to the World Cup in 2010 and a quarter-final place despite being drawn in a group with holders Italy.
Under Tata’s guidance the country was eventually eliminated by winners Spain 1-0.
The former Argentina international (admittedly only earning one cap) will now make the huge step up to managing one of the biggest club sides in the world in Barcelona.
The Catalans have been praised over the last decade for a style of football known as ‘tika-taka’ – a tactic that should fit into Martino’s philosophy – and the Spanish giants are currently La Liga champions and have won the Champions League three times in the past seven years.
COMMENTS