FC Barça

The vice president for sport, Josep Maria Bartomeu, has said that the Board is working on their contract with Pep Guardiola, who should sign when he returns from South Africa.

Now officially in their positions, the team led by Sandro Rosell would like it if Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova were to stay at the club. First though, they will need to hold meetings with both coaches. Two days ago, the Board met Guardiola’s representative, Josep Maria Orobitg.

The first contacts suggest optimism, according to Bartomeu, and only minor details need resolving. But Pep Guardiola is currently doing promotional work in South Africa, and the details of his new contract would not be decided until his return.

Interest in Cesc

Josep Maria Bartomeu also answered questions about new signings. He would not say how many new names were being targeted, saying that such information could only be disclosed by the new technical director Andoni Zubizarreta- but he did say that the Board was interested in “resuming the wise negotiations of the previous board “.

So the name of Arsenal man Cesc came up among those present, and also in Sandro Rosell’s conference. He said they would like to secure the Catalan midfielder, but the president made it clear that “we won’t pay anything other than the right price. We’re not going to go crazy on this issue “.

Mata: no movement

Valencia’s Juan Mata was also mentioned, who is also being rumoured as a possible inclusion. The vice president made himself clear on this point. “We have not even made any negotiations to sign him”. Besides, he said, the player has already denied the rumours of any supposed agreement.

Henry and loan players

As for Thierry Henry, the club said it will honour the agreement originally made with the Frenchman, whereby he will be free to choose whatever club he goes to.

The board has also decided that none of the loaned out players, Henrique, Hleb, Cáceres and Keirrison, form part of Pep Guardiola’s plans and the club is ready to loan them to whoever makes the best offer. These negotiations have already commenced.

He also said that José Ramon Alexanko’s contract has been terminated. Until now, he was in charge of the Barça youth system.

Andoni Zubizarreta, one of the finest goalkeepers in FC Barcelona history, will be the new technical director of the professional football department. His former team-mate, Guillermo Amor, will be the technical director of the youth teams.

FC Barcelona’s organigram is set to be restructured into professional and youth departments. The former’s technical director will be Andoni Zubizarreta while Narcís Julià will be technical secretary. The latter’s technical director will be Guillermo Amor and Albert Puig will be technical secretary. Both Zubizarreta and Amor are former FCB players and have experience in such positions at Athletic Bilbao and in the Barça offices.

Zubizarreta: 48 years old, ex-keeper and with experience at Bilbao

Andoni Zubizarreta Urreta, the new technical secretary, was born 48 years ago in Vitoria and was one of the lynchpins of the Dream Team. He started out at Alaves, and then made the leap to the top flight with Athletic Club.

Aged just 20 years, Zubizarreta took over as goalkeeper at Athletic Club from Javier Clemente. In five seasons in Bilbao, he won two Leagues, one Copa del Rey and one Spanish Super Cup. In summer 1986 he moved to Barcelona as the substitute for Urruti and won a Zamora title.

As FCB goalkeeper, he won the European Cup, four Ligas in a row, two Copas del Rey, one Cup Winners Cup and three Super Cups in eight years. After the 4-0 defeat to Milan in the 1994 Champions League final, Johan Cruyff decided to offload the Basque stopper, who went on to spend four years at Valencia. Zubizarreta is the most capped Spanish international ever, with 126 appearances.

Three years after hanging up his boots, Andoni Zubizarreta moved into an office job at Athletic Club. He was director of sport at the club for three seasons from 2001 to 2004.

Andoni Zubizarreta loves the game and has always been associated to it. In recent years he has been working as a columnist for ‘El País’ and analyst for TVE. This means he has stayed well in touch with Barça and attended such occasions as the finals in Rome and Abu Dhabi. It is clear from these trips that Zubizarreta has an excellent relationship with Guardiola.

Amor: 42 years, ex-player and experience with Barça youth teams

Guillermo Amor (4 December, 1967, Benidorm) is the man who has won the most honours as an FC Barcelona player. He was a first-choice midfielder at the Camp Nou and for Spain. Amor was in the FCB first team for 11 seasons. It was he who scored the 4000th goal in club history, and he has made the fourth highest number of appearances for the club (421).

Once he had left the club he holds dear in his heart, he spent a couple of seasons at Fiorentina, then three at Vila-Real and few months at Livingston in Scotland.

He went on to work in a new capacity for FC Barcelona. From 2003 to 2007 he ran the youth football section, and is now back as technical director.

Toure Yaya has left FC Barcelona. The club has sold him to English side Manchester City for 30 million euros plus variables of 0.5 million euros depending on whether City qualify for the Champions League.

Of these 30 million, 24 will go to FC Barcelona and six go to Toure’s agent, who holds the economic rights to the player, as explained to a press conference by the vice president for the sports area, Josep Maria Bartomeu.

The Ivorian to ever play for Barcelona arrived at the Camp Nou on June 26, 2007 as the second signing for the 2007/08 season. He signed for four seasons, and his contract was later extended until 2012. He now leaves for Manchester City, where he will be teaming up with his brother, Kolo Touré.

The South Africa 2010 adventure is over for FC Barcelona’s Dani Alves. Losing 1-0 at half time, Holland produced unexpected brilliance in the second half and sent Brazil crashing out of the tournament.

Alves may have started the tournament on the bench, but he earned himself a place in Dunga’s starting line-up thanks to some terrific performances in the unfamiliar position of right midfielder, playing just in front of Maicon. He played the full ninety against Holland in today’s quarter final in Port Elizabeth, and especially in the second half, when Brazil started floundering, it was the Barça man who did the most to keep his team afloat.

But at the end of the day, it was two former Barcelona players, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst and Mark van Bommel, who had smiles on their faces. Yet at half time it had looked like the South Americans were going to cruise it.

Robinho early doors

The leaks had already been exposed in Holland’s back four in the opening minutes when Robinho was denied a goal by the offside flag, but the same man was on target shortly after when he expertly converted Felipe Melo’s pinpoint pass from midfield. By half time, Holland were against the ropes in what was proving to be one of the games of the tournament, and had it not been for goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, they could have been much more than a single goal down.

Holland bounce back

We had were very few signs of what would be a historic comeback in the second half. But Holland came back out with renewed vigour, and produced an equaliser when Felipe Melo nodded a Wesley Sneijder cross into his own net. That was in the 53rd minute, and twelve minutes later Sneijder was there to head home a corner and make it 2-1.

All Brazil’s good work in the first half had come to nothing, and their desperate scramble to get back into the game was not helped by Felipe Melo shockingly stamping on Robben and being rightly red-carded for his sins. As Brazil threw everything into attack, Holland retaliated with some dangerous counter attacks. Here, they could easily have sentenced the game but squandered several simple opportunities.

Game over for Brazil

However, Brazil failed to reproduce any of their first half magic and their World Cup challenge faded to nothing. Holland, meanwhile, may have lacked spark in this World Cup so far, but what we saw in the last 45 minutes against Brazil today has seen the Oranje suddenly up there among the favourites to win the trophy.

So, it all ended in bitter disappointment for Dani Alves. Nevertheless, he can take heart from the fact that he was one of the most impressive components of a Brazil team that seemed to be getting everything right until those fateful last 45 minutes against Holland.

Touré Yaya, one of the lynchpins of the treble-winning team, is leaving Barca after three seasons marked by his commitment and versatility.

The first player from the Ivory Coast to defend the Barca colours has left a deep impression on the Club. In three seasons, (2007-10), Touré Yaya was one of the mainstays of perhaps the greatest team in the history of the Club, a team which won two league titles, the Champions League, the Spanish Cup, the World Club Cup, the European Super Cup and the Spanish Super Cup. During his time at the Club he played most of the time in central midfield but he also adapted to a more defensive role, even playing in the heart of the back line. His physical presence and technical skills made him a vital player both in defence and in attack.

100% commitment

Touré moved to Barca from Monaco in the summer of 2007. Although he was still only 24 at the time it was his fifth European Club and he quickly settled into the team. The injury he picked up early in the season together with a long absence at the Africa Cup of Nations interrupted his progress, especially when he came back from the African tournament nursing a back problem. However, he carried on playing at a high standard and delayed the operation until the end of the season.

Under Frank Rijkaard, he played 38 matches (26 in the league, 3 in the Cup and 9 in the Champions League) and scored two goals.

Valencia and Rome

The arrival of Pep Guardiola confirmed and reinforced the importance of Touré Yaya to the team and he was a basic element in the treble-winning team, playing 43 matches (25 in the league, 6 in the Cup and 12 in the Champions League). His commitment and work rate on the pitch endeared him to the hearts of Barca fans and the fantastic equalizer he scored against Bilbao in the Cup final will long be remembered as will the epic duel he fought out with his Ivory Coast team-mate, Didier Drogba in the semi-final of the Champions League at Stamford Bridge. In the final, he forged an impeccable partnership with Piqué in the heart of a defence almost decimated by injury and suspension.

A defensive role

In his third season, he remained a vital player for the team despite the interruption of the African Cup of Nations and fierce competition for a midfield place from a home-grown rising star called Sergio Busquets. He played in 37 matches and picked up another league winners medal. He adapted when needed to a more defensive role in front of the back two and, indeed, played his final game for the Club in that position against Valladolid. A perfect way for such a committed and versatile player to end his time with Barca.

FC Barcelona’s Daniel Alves is set to appear for Brazil in a tantalising World Cup quarter final against the Netherlands on Friday afternoon in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

The Blaugrana right-back has been employed further up field by Dunga in the tournament so far as Maicon plays in the same position, but both players have had marked success for A Seleção.

Dutch stars

Up against Alves wil be former Barça midfield star Mark van Bommel who is captain of the Dutch side and has enjoyed helping steer the Oranje into the last eight.
On the Netherlands bench is another former Camp Nou star with coach Bert van Maarwijk’s assistant being Frank de Boer.

Players from FC Barcelona are leading the way in the World Cup. Of the 14 players who started the competition, 10 still have a chance of winning the Cup and are making a huge contribution to there respective teams.

Now that the tournament is down to the last 8, Barca not only has more players involved than any other club, but they are also producing some of the best individual performances.

Passing kings

Barca is famous for its passing style of football so the fact that three of the top four players in the ranking of passes are Barca players comes as no great surprise. Xavi leads the way with 368 passes, follow by Sergio with 327, while Piqué is fourth with 306.

Top guns

Messi tops the shooting ranking with 23, with 13 on target – also the highest total. He’s closely followed by David Villa with 12.

Villa top scorer

Recent signing David Villa is also joint top scorer in the competition (four goals so far) – along with Gonzalo Higuain and Robert Vittek. However, Vittek won’t be scoring any more as Slovakia have already been eliminated by Holland.

Every minute

Messi, Piqué and Puyol have played every minute of every match so far – 360 minutes. Villa comes very close – he was substituted two minutes from the end of the match against Portugal.

Man-of-the-match

Four Barca players have been chosen as man-of-the match: Messi in the match between Argentina and Greece; Villa (Spain v Honduras); Iniesta (Spain v Chile) and Xavi (Spain v Portugal).

Spain are through to the quarterfinals of the World Cup after a narrow win over Portugal. The only goal of the match came from David Villa and no fewer than six Barca players featured in the starting line-up.

Puyol and Piqué lined up in the heart of Del Bosque’s defence while Busquets and Xavi took care of the midfield. Andres Iniesta and Villa gave Spain plenty of width on the wings but with freedom to move inside and link up with Liverpool hit man Torres.

Strong start for Spain

Spain stormed out of the traps and in the opening six minutes had created three good chances, one for Torres (min.1) and two for David Villa (mins. 2 & 6). Spain continued to dominate throughout the first half but Portugal defended well and gradually took the measure of Del Bosque’s team.

Sterile possession

Portugal’s game plan was very much to defend but as the match went on the possession of the ball became more even and neither side posed much danger to the two goalkeepers. However, towards the end of the first half Portugal began to look more and more dangerous.

Villa scores

The game remained evenly balanced for the opening 15 minutes of the second half until David Villa broke the deadlock with a great goal in the 62nd minute. Iniesta slotted a great pass through to Xavi, the ball fell to Villa who scored at the second attempt – a goal 100% made in Barca! Villa is now joint top scorer with Higuain with four goals.

Spain slowed the game down and as the Portuguese frustration grew Costa was sent off. Pedro came on for Villa for the last few minutes. Spain will now face Paraguay in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Txiki Begiristain believes that appointing Pep Guardiola has coach was his best decision as technical secretary of FC Barcelona, but does not believe that trainer has yet surpassed Johan Cruyff’s achievements.

The outgoing Begiristain spoke candidly with Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat about his seven years working upstairs, after a glittering career as a player at Camp Nou, and reflected on the pressures, excitement and decisions that went with such a high profile role.

Are you satisfied with your work over the past seven years?

“I am content, I am happy because overall things have gone well. We began with problems and the same happened in Frank Rijkaard’s last season, but we have lifted things back up and put Barça back at the top of world football. Of course, there are things we could have done better, but I am going feeling pleased.”

What have you learned in your role as technical secretary?

“That you have to make decisions every second. You have delegate, but you are still involved in some way in almost everything. Decisions are made with the risk that somehow you have to take responsibility for. In football responsibility is shared, but in this job you are out on your own. I have had great support though from a very effective secretary and I think we can all be proud of the job we have done.”

You were valued within the club, but did you feel the same from people outside?

“Yes, I have received great warmth throughout my time here. It was more difficult in the years when we did not win anything, but in general it was good. The thing with Barça is that it is very exacting and can be complicated because there is an active opposition. In the end though I think that the people in the street have appreciated my work and that pleased me.”

Has the responsibility involved changed you? It is said you laugh less.

“I am trying to recover that, but it is true. I have always felt I had a great sense of humour and that I was a strong person. But making difficult decision does change your character because they can hurt even those close to you. The tension is always there as well. That has changed me, but I will recover it.”

Has it been a lot worse as technical secretary compared to being a player?

“A lot worse. Although, when things go well you can relax much more. I did not imagine the level of tension there would be. I did not imagine that so much would depend on results. You win and things are good. You lose and they are very bad. When you lose all the decision you make appear to be wrong. You are constantly reminded of them and that makes things difficult but it is part and parcel of the job at this club. Barça is a huge entity.”

You said recently that appointing Pep Guardiola was the best decision you took throughout the seven years. Why?

“Because it was the most difficult one. We had a team that had just reached the semi finals of the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, but certain things meant that it was the end of an era. It was a necessary but complicated decision to make and to do so with a motion of censure also thrown in made it even more difficult. Time has shown though that it was correct.”

Does Pep have any faults?

“It is difficult to think of any. I have only advised him that he needs to relax more and not live his job. He is exacting and obsessive in his work. There were a couple of months when he appeared to lose weight and was suffering. I said to him he needed to change things. He dedicates the hours he needs, but when he goes home he should try to switch off if he can. The danger of burn-out is there and that controlling everything is impossible.”

Why did you say you have the feeling Guardiola would not be coach of Barça for a long time?
“He will grow and has to change, but there is not chance that he will lose his effectiveness. We must not forget that he is a young coach and will continue to learn. he will not lose anything though if he dedicates his time to other things. If he maintains a balance then he can be a coach for many years.”

Do you think he has surpassed Cruyff?

“Not yet, no. Cruyff won four consecutive leagues and cycles cannot be short. They are not made over two years. When Frank was in charge we had two great years and then team fell away. Pep has had two marvellous seasons and needs another couple to reach the same level. Eras are longer, but Pep could achieve that.”

Is Rijkaard’s role sufficiently valued?

“Pep’s success would have been impossible without Frank’s success. Frank began it all. The 4-3-3, the signing of Davids in the first season and with Frank we began to build the team each summer. Pep has benefitted from a lot of the good things in that team. He was missing a few pieces like Frank said, but the two of them spoke and Pep was helped by the work that the club had been doing in recent seasons. Pep then raised the level again with his spirit, morale, knowledge and tactical awareness and that gave us the treble. But he owes part of that to Frank.”

What was the most exciting moment in the past seven years?

“Paris. After Wembley it appeared to be impossible for Barça to win again. It was very exicting because you have the feeling that you job is not complete unless you have won the Champions League. Abu Dhabi was also great because we had not won that trophy. We have managed to achieve a feeling of tranquillity. Winning the league this season just gone was the best way to finish this term in office as well as on a personal level.”

How is dealing with agents?

“Very diverse. There are things that the agents do not do like having a deal with the player then the agent comes and breaks it. But I have found that they are very professional people. I have worked with the best in the world.”