Getting To Know: Jordi Roura

Full name: Jorge Roura Sola
Position: Assistant manager
Date of birth: 10 September 1967
Place of birth: Llagostera, Spain

Jordi Roura, born in Llagostera, near Girona, Catalonia, joined FC Barcelona in 1982 at the age of 15. The talented attacking midfielder was promoted to the Barcelona B team in 1994. Due to several injury problems Roura made only 46 appearances in four seasons for the B team. During that time he helped his team with two goals.

In 1988 Roura was promoted to the first team, but he quickly suffered another injury. In the1989 UEFA Super Cup against A.C. Milan he suffered a serious injury to the right knee which basically completely stopped his development as a footballer. Roura would stay with Barcelona's first team until the end of the 1990-91 season. Over three seasons he played in only 10 games and never got on the scoreboard for Blaugrana.

Roura went on to sign for Real Murcia in the 1991-92 season and made 11 appearances and scoring one goal. Next season he joined UE Figueres and appeared in 13 games without scoring a goal. Roura was forced to retire in 1994 because of his persistent injury problems.

Roura's managerial career began in 1996 when he joined Carles Raxach as the assistant manager of Japanese first division side Yokohama Flügels. Roura held that job for two seasons before returning to Europe. Before he joined Pep Guardiola's staff in 2007 Roura was employed by Terrassa FC.

When Roura returned to Barcelona he took over the job as lead scout in charge of compiling reports on future opponents. He performed that job during Guardiola's entire tenure, but after Pep left he was promoted to become Tito Vilanova's assistant manager.

Profile
As a player Roura was a powerful, fast and agile attacking midfielder who was also able to play as a forward. His potential was clearly noticeable but because of his injury problems he never managed to fully develop and was even forced to retire.

As a manager Roura has, in short time, shown that he is calm on the bench. He has incredible knowledge about the opposition, as a result of his previous job, which is very helpful when preparing the team in training.