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FC Barcelona News: 23 July 2013; Gerardo "Tata" Martino Confirmed as Barça Coach, Poland Friendly Rescheduled

Clive Rose

Gerardo Martino, new coach of FC Barcelona | FC Barcelona
The man known as ‘Tata’, and the new first team boss at Barça, was born in Rosario (Argentina) on November 20, 1962. He has extensive experience of South American football, first as a player and after as a coach, most recently on the bench at Newell's Old Boys, with whom he won the 2013 Final Tournament.

Who is Barcelona’s new head coach Gerardo Martino? | Pitchside Europe - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Gerardo 'Tata' Martino has been named as the new coach of Barcelona but few people in Europe had ever even heard of the 50-year-old Argentine before he started to be linked with the position vacated by Tito Vilanova. So why exactly have Barcelona plumped for Martino as their new boss?

Factbox: New Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
He came through the junior ranks and stayed on as a professional for a decade before trying his hand in Spain at Tenerife, a short-lived experience. Nicknamed "Tata" (grandad), he returned to Rosario for another three years, had a season at Lanus in Buenos Aires, then saw out his career with brief stints back at Newell's and, perhaps a premonition, Barcelona of Ecuador.

Gerardo 'Tata' Martino: Attacking football lover and hero of Newell’s and Paraguay | FC Barcelona
Gerardo Daniel Martino, known also as ‘Tata’, was born in Rosario, Argentina, 50 years ago. He started his managerial career in 1998, after a successful football career at Newell’s Old Boys, and since then he’s instilled an attacking, creative and associative style of football in every Club he’s managed. All of his teams have been very competitive.

Tito Vilanova set for cancer surgery - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
La Vanguardia believe that the Coach, who has this time had to permanently step down from his duties at Barcelona, is set for surgery once more on the issue this Tuesday. It will be the fourth surgical procedure for Vilanova since first being diagnosed with the disease and coincides with Barca making official the appointment of Gerardo Martino in his place.

Puyol: "Tito is very much present for us" | FC Barcelona
"The truth is that it was a very hard blow for us and unfortunately, we’ve suffered quite a few recently. This has been the toughest though. We didn’t expect anything like that. The team is really affected by this still and Tito is very much present for us. We want to send him our power. He explained the situation and transmitted his strength to us. We are with him all the way".

Abidal visits ex-teammates | FC Barcelona
The squad received a special visit at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper this Monday morning, when Éric Abidal, who was visiting the city, dropped in to show his support for his ex-teammates at this moment of difficulty. Abidal, currently with Monaco, played for Barça from 2007 until 2013 and was a very popular figure with the fans because of his human and footballing qualities. He remains a great example of overcoming difficulties.

Barça train with 23 players | FC Barcelona
With just a day to go before the start of the 2013/14 preseason at the Allianz Arena in Munich against Bayern, Barça have trained on pitch 1 at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper with the 23 available players. Apart from the 12 first team players, there are 11 B team players also working under the order of Jordi Roura and Rubi. Like in recent days, the session was mainly focused on fitness with some ball-work.

Barça to debut in senyera shirt in Munich | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona will make their 2013/14 debut in their new away kit which figures the Catalan flag – the Senyera. The game against Bayern Munich will be Barça’s first game of the pre-season, after the match in Gdansk last Saturday was postponed following the announcement of Tito Vilanova’s standing down.

Game against Lechia Gdansk rescheduled for July 30th | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona will finally play the friendly against Lechia Gdansk on July 30. The original game was postponed last Friday when the Club and players decided, following Tito Vilanova’s decision not to continue as coach for health reasons, that it was not an appropriate moment to play a game of football.

Spurs €4m away from Soldado | Football Espana
Tottenham Hotspur have yet to reach an agreement with Valencia for Roberto Soldado, but are believed to be close. Whilst nothing was struck on Monday evening, it is reported that progress was made. Los Che, who are firm on asking for an offer of €30m, which stands as his buyout clause, are said to have seen Spurs raise their fixed bid from €22m up to €26m.

Figueras completes Betis switch - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
The 26-year-old centre-back was strongly linked with Los Beticos over the weekend and today has been confirmed as having completed a transfer to the Benito Villamarin. The former Celta Vigo and Rayo Vallecano man has been confirmed by Betis as their 10th signing of this summer transfer window, joining on a three-year permanent deal from Brugge.

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