Argentine Gerardo Martino becomes new Barcelona coachJuly 23, 2013 - 21:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Barcelona have appointed Argentine Gerardo Martino as their new coach after he agreed a two-year contract, according to BBC News. The 50-year-old former Paraguay boss replaces Tito Vilanova, who stepped down as Barcelona manager to continue his treatment for cancer. He was recently in charge of Newell's Old Boys, who he led to the Argentine Torneo final title last season. Details of his arrival in Barcelona and official presentation by the Spanish champions was expected Tuesday, July 23. He becomes the fourth Argentine to manage Barca after Helenio Herrera, Roque Olsen and Cesar Luis Menotti. It will be Martino's first job outside of South America since a six-month spell playing for Tenerife in 1991. A number of coaches had been linked to the vacant position, including former Barcelona B boss Luis Enrique, Tottenham's Andre Villas-Boas, Swansea's Michael Laudrup and Guus Hiddink, who quit as coach of Anzhi Makhachkala on Monday. However, the Catalan club have ignored more high-profile candidates in favor of Martino, who is considered to have a similar style to former Athletic Bilbao manager Marcelo Bielsa. Martino was a key player in the Newell's Old Boys side Bielsa managed in the early 1990s and both hail from the Argentine city of Rosario. Barcelona captain Carles Puyol says Martino's managerial style will fit in with the playing philosophy at the Nou Camp. "We know about his career, he is a very good coach," Puyol said before Martino's appointment was confirmed. "He likes Barcelona's playing style. I think all the names mentioned are capable of coaching this team. We have a certain way of playing; a philosophy. The coach that comes in will follow that line and I'm sure that Zubi (sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta) and the directors want a coach that can adapt to our characteristics." Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Armenian delegation participating in NATO PA session The delegation is headed by Andranik Kocharyan, the chairman of the standing committee on defense and security matters. Schengen visa cost won’t change for Armenia – diplomat The increase in the cost of a Schengen visa will not apply to citizens of Armenia, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson has said. Yeremyan Projects opens state-of-the-art dairy production plant Yeremyan Projects officially launched the Yeremyan Products state-of-the-art milk processing plant in Yerevan on May 24. Azerbaijan's defense spending set to increase by 11% Azerbaijan's spending on defense and national security will increase by 11%, according to a fresh bill. |