FC Barcelona’s first team coach already has his team of assistants in place: Tito Vilanova, Juan Carlos Unzué and Lorenzo Buenaventura.
This new team has four major goals for the 2008/09 season. They are to drive excellence and professionalism in the dressing room; to stress player performance and what impacts on it; provide more scientific parameterisation to monitor the players’ physical condition and health; and new training and fitness routines.

Coaching staff

Josep Guardiola will be head coach and will have three assistants: Tito Vilanova as assistant coach, Juan Carlos Unzué as goalkeeping coach among other duties, and Lorenzo Buenaventura in charge of physical fitness and performance.

Lorenzo Buenaventura

Born in Seville, the physical fitness coach has come to FC Barcelona after a spell at Cadiz CF. Buenaventura has also worked at RCD Espanyol, Atlético de Madrid and for Argentina. He will be in charge of the team’s physical preparation with three aims:

- Tactical physical fitness work to make training more intense
- Planning individual and group physical training, scientific measurement and continuous assessment of levels of strength, stamina and speed of players.
- Managing all the variables which affect a player’s performance: performance on the field, individual physical preparation, diets, rest, avoiding injury, and sports physiology and psychology.

Fitness coaches

The first team will have three fitness coaches working under Lorenzo Buenaventura: Paco Seirul•lo as lead fitness coach; Aureli Altimira, who last season was with Josep Guardiola at Barça B, will be in charge of field work; and Francesc Cos will be in charge of strength work.

 
This Monday 30 June the contracts of Santiago Ezquerro and Lilian Thuram with FC Barcelona have come to an end.
Ezquerro is leaving the club after three years in the first team, while Thuram departs after two seasons wearing the number 21 shirt.

Ezquerro has less time on pitch

In his first year at FC Barcelona, Santi Ezquerro played eleven League matches and four Champions League ones. It was his best season in terms of appearances. The 31-year-old player leaves the Camp Nou having won four titles: the League, the European Cup and two Spanish Super Cups.

Thuram has heart problems

Lilian Thuram, 36, leaves FC Barcelona and is negotiating with French outfit PSG. On Friday he announced he has a heart malformation and this has at least for the moment held up his move to PSG. Thuram won a Spanish Super Cup during his time at FC Barcelona.

 
With Spain’s victory in Vienna, three more Barça players have won the European Championship. Xavi, Iniesta and Puyol have followed in the footsteps of Olivella, Fusté, Pereda and Zaballa, the last Barça players to do it.
Spain has won the European Championship for the first time since the tournament was played in Spain in 1964. On that occasion, Ferran Olivella, a Barça player, was the Spanish captain and lifted the trophy.

Four in 1964

There were three other Barça players - Josep Maria Fusté, Chus Pereda and Pedro Zaballa – in the side that won the trophy thanks to a goal by Marcelino. The team also featured Luis Suárez, who in 1961 had left Barça for Italy.

Since then no other Barça player had won European Championship until Xavi, Iniesta and Puyol, all products of the Barça academy, picked up the trophy.

Schuster shone in 1980

Other Barça players came to the club after winning European glory. For instance after winning the trophy with West Germany in 1980 at the age of 20, Bernd Schuster signed for Barça after a row with his previous club, Cologne.

Petit wins in 2000

A similar but less significant case is that of Emmanuel Petit. The French defender came to Barça after his side beat Italy 2-1 in the final in 2000, the year when Barça player Kluivert was top scorer with five, but due to injury he was unable to play in the final itself.

 
Xavi, Iniesta and Puyol will represent FC Barcelona in the final of the European Championships. It has been 24 years since the club has had so many players in the final game of the tournament.
Three azulgranas will be hogging the limelight at the European Chmpionships which finishes in the Ernst Happel stadium in Vienna on Sunday. Xavi, Iniesta and Puyol have already passed into the history books of the Spanish national team and the history books of those internationals who wear the Barça shirt.

Euro 84 in France

It has been 24 years since Spain last reached the final of the European Championships, the same year that FC Barcelona last had as many representatives in the final. In the 1984 final between France and Spain, Miguel Muñoz’s side lost 2-0, with three azulgranas on the Parc de Princes in Paris: Francisco “Lobo” Carrasco, Víctor Muñoz and Julio Alberto.

Other finalists

In 2004, Deco got to the final with Portugal a few weeks after signing for Barça. In those championships, Portugal knocked out Holland, who had Gio van Bronkhorst, Michael Reiziger, Cocu, Davids, Overmars and Patrick Kluivert in Dick Advocaat’s side.

In fact, the ‘oranje’ side has been the national team with the highest number of Barça representatives to get so far in the European Championships. In the championships in Holland and Belgium, Kluivert was top scorer and the De Boer brothers, Bolo Zenden, Cocu, Overmars and Michael Reiziger all played.

 
Martín Cáceres was presented as a new FC Barcelona player on Friday morning and admitted that he was very proud to have joined the club during his first meeting with the media at Camp Nou.
Following Seydou Keita's arrival on Thursday, the Uruguayan defender became the second summer signing to pose for the cameras after penning a four-year deal with a buy-out clause of €50m. As well as talking about his pride, Cáceres explained that he was ready to give everything to his new club in order to help bring success back to Barça.

Full of desire

Smiling throughout his appearance in front of the cameras and journalists, Cáceres explained: "I have come here full of desire and feel great. It is not just incredible to be joining a club like Barcelona, but also to think that I will be asked to play alongside such superb players as Carles Puyol and Gaby Milito."

Central requirement

Barça's technical secretary, Txiki Begiristain, then stated: "He is a young player who is extraordinarily fit, has a good mentality and can play in the centre or on the left at the back. He is good at present and will be fantastic in the future.

"We needed to bring in players in the centre of defence after seeing both Lilian Thuram and Edmílson leave the club this summer," he added.

Not easy to find players like him

Pep Guardiola was also delighted with the new arrival and believes he will become a vital member of the squad. "He is young and is incredibly fit and also is his speed is impressive. That will help a lot. He will show that he is talented."

His ability to play in more than one position and his speed will allow Cáceres to "play high up the pitch" too according to Guardiola. "It is not easy to find players with his profile," he concluded.

 
FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta stated that the club's technical secretary was doing a good job as he spoke to the media during the presentation of Martín Cáceres on Friday.
The Blaugrana chief stated that he feels "the team is reinforced in a stable and coherent way" and that he is convinced that "the new signings will bear fruit". He then added: "I am sure that the Barcelonismo will recover the excitement."

New arrivals

Reflecting on the cost of the new arrivals, Laporta said that they were "inside the parametres of the market" and denied that the club had paid over-the-odds for players. "The investment on any player always depends on performance," he explained. "I think that balance is positive. That is an objective fact."

Keita and Euro players back a week later

Pep Guardiola was also present for Cáceres' introdctuion and he said that the Uruguayan will join the first team for pre-season training on July 14 with the rest of his new colleagues. In the case of Seydou Keita and the club's participants in Euro 2008, they will join up with the squad a week later.

Praise for Spain trio

The new Barça coach also took advantage of his time in front of the press to praise Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and Carles Puyol for their success with the Spain team. "They deserve a lot of merit for what they have done," he said. "They have broken the famous quarter final jinx and have relieved a lot of the pressure. I am delighted that we have three players of that level."

 
Seydou Keita has been presented this Thursday lunchtime as a new FC Barcelona player, and says it was his dream to come to Barça. “I will defend the colours with pride,” he said.
The Paris Room at the Camp Nou was the venue for the official presentation of Seydou Keita. The Malian player, who signed his contract with the club on 26 May, was accompanied by club chairman Joan Laporta, director of football Txiki Begiristain and first team coach Josep Guardiola.

“A dream”

Keita said he was very excited about putting on an FC Barcelona shirt. “When I was a kid I dreamt of coming to Barça and I’m very happy that that dream has come true,” he pointed out, before adding “I’ll defend Barça’s colours with pride.”

One goal: winning titles

The Malian player is aware that his personal success is the success of the team: “The most important thing is winning titles. The most important thing is the team and my personal goal is to win titles. I hope that this season will be Barça’s best ever when it comes to winning titles.”

To play on the left

Josep Guardiola says he intends to play Keita on the left and described the player as “physically very strong, good in the air, and with good medium and long-distance shooting”. “On his own he doesn’t mean anything,” said the Barça coach. “The important thing is how he fits in with the rest of the team and I’m sure he’ll do that very well.”

A necessary signing

Director of football Txiki Begiristain said that “Keita is a player who reinforces the midfield and gives us balance. He can defend but also get up field so he’s a very complete player and we are hoping for a lot from him. I’m sure he’ll be very successful”.

Good relations with Seville

Club chairman Joan Laporta said that Keita was one of the club’s objectives and had been monitored for some time. Laporta also thanked all those who had made the signing of the Mali international possible and emphasised the good relationship with Seville on closing the deal.

 
Txiki Begiristain, Barça’s director of football, says that the club is still looking to sign a centre forward, a wide player and an offensive midfielder.
At the presentation of Keita as a new Barça player, Txiki Begiristain said that the club is still seeking to complete Pep Guardiola’s team: "We’re looking at a number of options for a number 9, a wide player and an offensive midfielder."

Adebayor: an option up front

When asked whether Adebayor could be that centre forward, Txiki Begiristain admitted to interest in the Arsenal player, but said he was not the only option: “We’re looking at a number of possibilities, and obviously he’s one of them.”

Arshavin’s quality

Txiki Begiristain was also asked about Zenit Saint Petersburg star Andrei Arshavin, currently playing in Euro 2008 with Russia. "He’s a quality player of course and is having a good tournament,” commented the Barça director of football, but preferred not to go into the matter any further due to tonight’s semi-final clash between Russia and Spain in Vienna.

Coach Pep Guardiola said that "all the names that the media talk about are good players” and that he was sure he would have an “extraordinary” team. "In the end we’ll get what we want,” he said.

Barça and the Beijing Olympics

The possibility of Ronaldinho playing for Brazil at the Beijing Olympics also came up. Txiki Begiristain put forward the same argument as in the case of Messi: the club wants to have all its players available for its vital Champions League qualifying matches. "If Ronaldinho stays here we want him with the team on the 14th, just like Messi," he said, before adding that the club is doing everything necessary to achieve this goal.

 
Seydou Keita and Martín Cáceres will be officially presented as new FC Barcelona players on this week after their arrival from Sevilla and Villarreal respectively in recent weeks.
The Sala París will be the setting for the introduction of two the club's summer signings, who will also be photographed wearing the club's new kits that were shown on Wednesday.

Keita will be up first on Thursday with his presentation at 12pm and the press will be able to speak to him about his transfer a month after a deal with Sevilla was agreed. The Malian international has been playing for his country since then in two World Cup 2010 qualifiers against Sudan.

On Friday, Cáceres will meet the media at the same start time as Keita and the Uruaguayan defender will talk about his move from Villarreal after a loan spell with Recreativo. The new Barça star has also been on international duty in recent weeks as he helped Uruguay to beat Peru in a World Cup 2010 qualifier.

 
Leo Messi, who arrived at la Masia when he was just 13 is celebrating his 21st birthday today. Born in Rosario, Argentina, he is now one of the key players on whom Barça’s hopes are pinned.
He made his first team debut when he was just 17, on October 16, 2004 in the city derby at Montjuic, and the fans immediately realised that this player had that something special – fast and accurate, skilful and daring, he is a delight for the football purist.

Incredible Gamper 2005

It was at the Gamper 2005, against Juventus, when rival manager Fabio Capello said he was stunned by this amazing youngster, and the packed stadium saluted his terrific performance as they looked forward to a season of Messi at the Camp Nou.

Star in Europe

Wherever he went, the press had nothing but praise for the way he was coming on as a player. Stamford Bridge was the venue for his finest performance in the Champions League of 2005/06 – where the South American ran rings around Chelsea, and Del Horno in particular, as the club marched triumphantly on their way to victory in Paris.

Like Maradona

They were already comparing him to greatest Argentine footballer of all when in 2006/07 he scored a goal against Getafe that was almost a carbon copy of that ‘best goal ever’ that Maradona scored against England in Mexico 1986. His solo run through several players to slip the ball past goalkeeper Luis García was shown time and time again on global TV networks that week.

The same season, Messi destroyed Real Madrid with a hat-trick, although the game ended in a 3-3 draw.

Now considered one of the world elite, in December 2007 he was named one of the top three footballers on the planet, a veritable phenomenon has arrived. The only concern with Messi is the way he is so prone to muscle injuries – but he is still in only 21 and if the best is still to come, then Messi has the potential to become one of the finest players ever to grace the sport. Many happy returns!

 
FC Barcelona will play 5 games in three countries: Scotland, Italy and the United States, making a total of 19,000 kilometres to be covered before playing the Champions League qualifier.
Pep Guardiola wants to get the team into peak condition in as short a period as possible, because he has to be ready in time for the Champions League qualifier. The first game is on either August 12 or 13, but first they have five friendly matches to play.

July 21 to 26: Saint Andrews

Barcelona are going back to Scotland for the second season in a row, leaving on Monday 21 for a 1700 km trip to Saint Andrews. Pep Guardiola’s side have two games against Hibernian and Dundee United, who they already played last season. They come back home on July 26, another 1700 km.

Barcelona to Florence:787 kilometres

The Artemio Franchi is the venue for game three, where Barça meet Fiorentina on July 30, a side they last met in the 99/00 Champions league. One of the star attractions in the home sign is new signing from AC Milan, striker Alberto Gilardino.

Italy to Chicago: 7530 kilometres

After playing Fiorentina, Barça are off to the States and on the last day of July they start the FCB US Tour 2008. The first stop will be the ‘windy’ city of Chicago. On August 3 they will be up against Mexican outfit CD Guadalajara on the Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears in the NFL and Major League Soccer team Chicago Fire.

Chicago-New York: 1145 kilometres

The Red Bulls are Barça’s final opponents before they begin their Champions League campaign. That is on August 6 at the Giants Stadium in New York, and once the game over, the players will be flying straight back to Catalonia.

New York-Barcelona: 6162 kilometres

Once back at base, they will have little more than week to prepare for their Champions League qualifying match against an opponent to be decided on August 1. They will have covered no less than 19,022 kilometres in 18 days.

 
The Dutch coach has looked back over his five years as Barça coach in an interview with club media in which he says he is grateful for having been able to work at FC Barcelona.
Proud of the job he has done and the titles won. Frank Rijkaard says he has “unforgettable” memories of 17 May 2006 in Paris and praises all the players he’s worked with over the last five years. He takes stock of his time at the club in a very personal interview which club members will find in the “BARÇA Magazine”. Here are some extracts:

Five intense years

“Often the feelings and emotions we have inside are stronger than a word. These five years have been very intense. You could compare it with when you get on one of those really fast trains: one day you look back and you’re amazed at the way time has flown.”

The surroundings

“In Holland some things are the same as at Barça. I’ve understood the pressure of the surroundings since I was a youth player at Ajax. In Amsterdam we used the same expression. Surroundings? It means what happens outside the club and can affect the team. The surroundings here were no surprise to me.”

The example of Ferguson

“English football and our football are not at all similar. Here we have elections and chairmen bring their own staffs, while at a club like Manchester United there is just one owner and it works like a company. It might change, but everything stays the same. And that doesn’t happen at Barça. Here every so often the organization, the structure, and even the philosophy changes, which is almost like going back to square one. Ferguson can spend years in charge of the team: that isn’t very likely here.”

The strength of the team

“Coaches can say as much as they want, but without the team nothing works. I’d take Puyol. He’s the captain and stands for the spirit of the team and generosity. And I’d also like to mention Ronaldinho. He’s been crucial in getting people excited again and making them happy. He’s been really important. Barça’s won and lost with him. But without Ronaldinho we wouldn’t have won more than before.”

 
Tito Vilanova will continue as Pep Guardiola’s assistant. After winning promotion with the reserves, they will now be in charge of the first team.
The Guardiola-Vilanova tandem, which has worked so well this season with Barça B, is to be repeated with the first team. Guardiola is the boss and has the last word, but Tito Vilanova, a great student of football, also plays a key role and is the ideal partner for Guardiola. Both share a passion for the sport and a constant search for excellence.

Thanks for his number two

Just a few hours after Barça B got back into the Second Division B and during the celebratory dinner at the Camp Nou, Guardiola praised the work his players had done but had a special word for Tito Vilanova: “Thanks, Tito, because last summer you turned down offers to move up a division to be with me.” Guardiola well recalled that a year ago Vilanova was director of football at Terrassa (Second Division B), and even though he had offers to coach in that division he decided to stay with Barça B.

Key in signings

Vilanova’s experience in these divisions was key when it came to making the right choices about new players. His extensive knowledge of the Second Divisions A and B and the Third Division was crucial in suggesting signings of players who have been extremely successful with Barça B. Guardiola could calmly accept the offer to coach Barça B in part because he would have an experienced coach alongside him who was ready to help out with anything.

Field coach

Vilanova admitted at the start of the season that Guardiola lacked experience as he had yet to coach a side, but added that he was “already a coach when he was a player.” Vilanova had no doubts about Guardiola’s knowledge and drive to succeed and therefore didn’t think twice about coming back to the club: “I coached youth football at Barça in 2002/03 and I worked with players like Piqué, Messi, Cesc and Vázquez, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

 
The recently signed Barça player set up the key victory for Mali against Sudan in a World Cup 2010 qualifying game.
After losing against the same team, Sudan, in their last match (3-2), Mali just had to win. This Sunday they hosted Sudan in Bamako needing to get all three points to stay on top of group 10 in the African zone. Goals by Kanouté and Keita, who scored twice, have brought Mali closer to the World Cup in 2010.

Keita is the star

Mali managed to beat Sudan relatively easily in Bamako. A goal by Seville’s Kanouté in the 25th minute opened the scoring and Seydou Keita, Barça’s new player, added two more in the second half in the 60th and 67th minutes to finish off the Sudanese. Keita then picked up a yellow card in stoppage time.

 
Samuel Eto'o was the outstanding player in this Saturday’s match between Cameroon and Tanzania. The Barça player scored the two goals that gave his side victory.
Today Saturday Cameroon, led by Samuel Eto'o, won an important victory against Tanzania. Cameroon is top of Group 1 in classification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Two goals by the Barça striker

Eto’o opened the scoring in the 67th minute, only for Tanzania to equalise 11 minutes later with a goal by Danny Mrwanda. When the game seemed to be heading for a draw, Eto'o then popped up again in the 89th minute to score the goal which gave victory to Cameroon and put them on top of their group with 10 points.

 
The president of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, is excited about next season, not just because of the football, but the basketball too. He thinks the team has high quality and talented players.
There is still another month to go before work starts again, with the new Josep Guardiola project raising the expectations of president Joan Laporta who has said “I am very excited and in a positive mood and I just can’t wait for the season to begin”. Laporta was speaking at the official presentation of Xavi Pascual as the coach of the Barça basketball team.

Major signings

With Josep Guardiola the new manager and the signings of Keita, Piqué and Martín Cáceres confirmed, Joan Laporta thinks the plans for the first team are going great. He said “things are working out as we expected. The signings are reinforcements of the configuration of the squad”.

Team building

Laporta drew parallels with the summer of 2004, “when we bought players that gave good results”. Like then “we are building a team … when we build a team we get results”.

Messi, a football reference

Asked about the chance of Cristiano Ronaldo going to Real Madrid, the president said he also believes his Barça has some talented players: “We have lots. Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Henry ... they are players at the highest media level and al top class players … and we have a player who is global reference, Messi”.

 
Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique Martínez are the new managers of the first and reserve teams, after playing together at the club for five years.
The man who took the captain’s armband from Pep Guardiola in the Barça first team will now be in charge of Barça Atlètic. Luis Enrique and Pep Guardiola both won their coaching badges at the Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas. “They were the best in the campaign”, confessed president Joan Laporta, as he now sees the duo taking two key coaching roles at the club.

Three titles with Robson

Luis Enrique came to Barça in 96, in a season of many changes, with Johan Cruyff’s eight year spell in command coming to an end and Bobby Robson taking over. José Mari Bakero left for Mexico soon after and Guardiola became Barça captain. Pep was already an ever-present and the Asturian soon followed suit. Together they won the Cup Winners Cup in Rotterdam against PSG, the Copa del Rey at the Bernabéu against Betis and the Spanish Super Cup against Atlético Madrid.

Two league under Van Gaal

With 29 goals in two seasons, Luis Enrique was one of the stars of the league victories in 1997/98 and 1998/99. Dutchman Louis van Gaal was the manager, but Josep Guardiola and was sidelined for several months with a muscle injury. In the first year under Van Gaal, he only played six league games, but still won the Copa del Rey against Mallorca at Mestalla.

New captain

By 2001 Luis Enrique was one of the main men in the squad and when Guardiola said he was leaving for Italy after eleven seasons at Barça, it was he who took over the captaincy. In 2004, he would hand the armband on to 2004 Carles Puyol.

 
Several former first team managers and people that have been closely associated to Pep Guardiola and Barça agree that the choice of new manager was a good one.
The June edition of the Barça Magazine is a special dedicated to the club’s managers, which has provided an excellent opportunity to collect some views on the selection of Pep Guardiola as the new man in charge at FCB. From Laureano Ruiz to Eusebio Sacristán, they all feel Pep is the man for the job, being somebody who knows the club, is intelligent, hardworking and will bring all the enthusiasm that the role requires.

LAUREANO RUIZ
Ex manager of FC Barcelona (1975/76)

“Guardiola was an extraordinary player. He has been chosen because he meets the ideal conditions for the job. He was already acting as a coach on the pitch when he played. Against him, I’d say that no great player has made a great coach, apart from Cruyff. But of course I hope he triumphs”.

JOHAN CRUYFF
Ex FC Barcelona player (1973-1978)
Ex manager of FC Barcelona (1988-1996)

“The choice of Pep Guardiola as head coach follows the idea of maintaining the same lines, and the same basic idea of football. And Pep knows the place to perfection and so he also knows the difficulties. It will be hard for things to take him by surprise. As a player he knew what the game consists of. And now, on the outside, he knows even more”.

SIR BOBBY ROBSON
Ex manager of FC Barcelona (1996/97)

“Everybody has to start somehow. All I can say about Pep Guardiola is that he was an extraordinary player, intelligent, clever, he knew the game, and he had an exquisite past, precise, accurate. He never lost the ball; he knew how to maintain possession and how to turn the pace of the game, diagonal passes here, and more vertical balls there. He knew how to make himself available to colleagues and then play the ball at the precise moment. He was very perspective, hard working and had all qualities required of a captain. It comes as no surprise to me that he has become a manager. He loves football, and therefore he should make a great coach. Especially if he can conserve the ambition he showed he had as a player. He is a good choice. I am confident that the fans will give him the time, patience and understanding that he needs to be a success.”

LLORENÇ SERRA FERRER
Ex manager of FC Barcelona (2000/01)

“Pep was a formidably intelligent player on the pitch, with perfect positional play. He always knew where he had to be and marked the pace of games. And because of his age, and being the Barça man he is, he has the best possible combination of ambition and enthusiasm for the task, and I wish him every success”.

TOÑO DE LA CRUZ
Ex FC Barcelona player (1972-1980)
Ex member of the Barça coaching staff

“He has great footballing vision, and also a huge capacity to work. I don't agree at all with the people that say he lacks experience, because that is no guarantee of success. What he needs is everybody’s support in order to feel he is being backed up on his decisions”.

QUIQUE COSTAS
Ex FC Barcelona player (1971-1980)
Ex reserve team coach

“I have known him since he joined as a youth player because I worked with him in the under 14s. Experience? Ever since he was a lad he used to act as a coach in our training sessions”.

EUSEBIO SACRISTÁN
Ex FC Barcelona player (1988-1995)
Member of the Barça coaching staff (2003-08)

“I think it was a great idea to go for a man like Pep Guardiola. This decision guarantees that the style and playing philosophy will be continued. Pep knows the place well, but most of all he is a very intelligent and capable person. The passion he puts into the job will be contagious and he can help to change the current mood at the club”.

 
Martín Cáceres helped Uruguay to a comprehensive victory against Peru in the World Cup qualifier on Tuesday while Diego Forlán netted a hat-trick.
Oscar Washington Tabárez's side improved dramatically following their lacklustre display in their previous match, which they drew with Venezuela, and chalked up a fine win in the Centenario de Montevideo.

Forlán triple

After joining Barça earlier this month, Cáceres then flew out to join up with his international team-mates and looked confident at the back. Uruguay were two goals ahead already when Guerrero was sent off for Peru leaving them with an uphill struggle. Forlán scored twice before half time an then completed his hat-trick 12 minutes after the restart. Bueno then netted two goals in eight minutes and Abreu added a sixth in the closing stages.

The win means that Uruguay are fourth in the South American qualifying table for the next World Cup in South Africa. They have eight points, the same as Brazil, who are fifth but having played a game less. Uruguay's next match is against Colombia in September.

 
History says that Josep Guardiola Sala was one of the finest players ever to appear for FC Barcelona. And that history is now set to continue as he takes over as first team manager.
Guardiola arrived at FC Barcelona in late June 1984 from Gimnàstic Manresa. La Masia, the residence for young Barça talents was his home for many years. In 1990/91 he was promoted to the first team as Johan Cruyff showed keen interest in a player that had been playing in the Under 18 side a year earlier, and had just been introduced to the B team. He played in four first team games that year, dividing his time between the professional side and the reserves.

Unforgettable 1992

After winning the league (1991), Guardiola became a regular in what came to be known as the Dream Team, and which won the League and Champions League. Guardiola rounded off a fantastic 1992 with a gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics.

Two more leagues

The side went on to win two more leagues, playing spectacular football, and with Guardiola as a central playmaker. After the 1994 European Cup Final defeat, the team underwent major restructuring, with the famous ‘quinta del Mini’ of youth players coming up to form part of the first team from 1995 onwards.

After Koeman left, Guardiola inherited the number 4 shirt, which he would continue to wear for the remainder of his club career. The next two seasons (1994-96) were not great for Barça, but Guardiola was still getting better and better by the day and was by now the team leader and also a regular member of the Spain squad.

More titles under Robson and Van Gaal

Robson replaced Cruyff and Guardiola and Jose Mari Bakero were playing under a different manager for the first time in the pro careers. Guardiola became captain in 1996/97 and in three years under Robson and Van Gaal the side won two Leagues, two Copa del Reys, one Cup Winners Cup and one each of the Spanish and European Super Cups, an incredible track record for Guardiola.

Goodbye to Barça

2000/01 was Josep Guardiola’s last at Barça, his final match being the return leg of a Cup semi final against Celta at the Camp Nou. Llorenç Serra Ferrer and his substitute, Carles Rexach, were his two last coaches.

He moved on to Italy, to play for two separate periods at Brescia, and also at Roma under Capello. Guardiola’s career ended with globetrotting spells in the Qatari (2003/05) and Mexican (2005/06) Leagues, along with Juanma Lillo.

 
Both president Joan Laporta and director of football Txiki Begiristain agreed at Pep Guardiola’s presentation that their new head coach “transmits enthusiasm” and has got people excited about the forthcoming season.
“He brings together all the conditions to become one of the best coaches Barça could have” said president Joan Laporta at the start of his speech in Sala París, where a large crowd has gathered to see Josep Guardiola being presented as the first team manager of FC Barcelona.

The president said that his board was unanimous in its support for the new leader, “because of his knowledge of football, but also because of what he knows about the club”.

A new era

Having played together for so many years in the Dream Team, Pep Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain will be working together again, and the director of football admitted that “this is a very special day.” He said he was “calm, confident and enthusiastic” that Guardiola has been named as the man for the job.

The president went on to say that Guardiola “is the perfect person to manage Barça over the next few years … it is the start of a new era and everything is starting to generate a sense of excitement”.

Serious but spectacular

One of the reasons for sitting Guardiola on the FC Barcelona bench, claimed Joan Laporta was "a style of play that so many of us Barça supporters like, serious football, but one that also takes spectacle into account, and Guardiola knows how to find that balance”.

Txiki looking for group effort

Txiki Begiristain also mentioned that Guardiola is a man with a profound respect for the club and that he “generates ambition as a coach, he makes a group, he works collectively … he immediately led us to believe that he is the right manager”.

 
As he was presented as manager of the first team, Josep Guardiola explained the outlines of the way he intends to work. He said it all came down “at the end of the day, to only thing that matters.” And that thing is winning.
“The players can be forgiven for not getting it right in every game, but not for failing to make an effort”. That is how the new Barça manager views the implication he will be demanding of every one of his players. In managing his squad, Guardiola believes in “the strength of the word”, although he also added that “that alone is not enough”.

So he will be applying a series of rules to everyday life at the club. It is his intention for the players “to absolutely observe and understand these rules, because that is the most simple and natural way of doing things.” In his relations with his players, Guardiola made it clear that they have to understand that “one person alone is worth nothing; it is along with their colleagues that they mean so much more”.

Playing style

So how will Barça 2008/09 play? The new manager said “at the end of the day the only that matters is winning. I want to convince the squad of my ideas, and they need to understand that that is the way ahead. We have to go out and find and create the game. I plan each game by thinking about what I can do to hurt the opposition. We will attack more and defend better. The strikers have defensive responsibilities and the defenders have to help out in attack. The team has to run and make an effort”.

Ins and outs

The club is currently working on a new squad for next season, and, Guardiola made it clear that “in principle none of Ronaldinho, Deco or Eto’o are on our minds. We will be building a squad without them … but if they end up staying with us, I will give them a lifeline to get back to their best level”. However, he did confirm that Rafa Márquez does come into his plans.

After a striker and a wide man

Guardiola said he is after a centre forward “that is very good and who can complement Henry and Bojan”. He said he wants to find somebody of similar qualities to the strikers he already has and that “they have to be very ambitious. Whoever comes will be somebody I consider perfect, and I won't be complaining because I have a cracking squad".

Guardiola also confirmed that “we are looking into the possibility of signing a wide player, or not. One would be plenty. In principle, we will play with three up front and with midfielders that will be moving forwards”.

The pre-season

Guardiola described pre-seasons as being “what they are” and that “the club has to make money”. So he is aware that the “the tour is about presenting a good image, but that is no excuse for what we might do over the pre-season”. He was asked if he might consider taking some of the reserve squad with him, and said that he would, maybe five, six, or seven, but he was not yet sure which players those would be.

Messi in responsible role

But what Guardiola is less happy about is the idea of Messi leading the team. “It would be wrong for him to be charged with such a burden of responsibility. He has to feel that, as well as scoring goals, he is also happy that we have not let any in either”.

Pre-season and Olympic Games

Lionel Messi is likely to miss the Barça pre-season because of the Olympic Games, which may also be the case with Alves if he signs. Guardiola commented that “Barça has to let its players go. If the Argentine or Brazilian federations make their request, we have to accept. And if they have to go, I hope they come back as quick as possible because we don’t have much time and we have a lot of hard work to do”.

 
Josep Guardiola appeared happy and excited about his new job at the reins of FC Barcelona. “I can’t promise titles, but I am convinced that the people will be proud of us”, he said.
It was officially announced some time ago, but due to his work in charge of the reserve team, Josep Guardiola has only just been presented to the media as Barça's new manager. The short event took place at midday today in Sala París. President Joan Laporta and director of football Txiki Begiristain heard Guardiola say: “I feel ready, if not, I wouldn’t be sitting here. I am not afraid, and this challenge does not frighten me.”

A major responsibility

He went on to say that “the satisfaction of being here is as great as the responsibility. I want to thank the president, Txiki and Marc Ingla for the confidence they have shown in me this year and that they showed last year in bringing me back to such an extraordinary club as this. I won’t let them down, I am convinced it will all work out well”. He added: “I am lacking experience because I am only 37. The merit I have is that these gentleman have chosen me.”

Work, effort and talent

The new first team manager then said that: “I strongly believe in work, effort and talent … it will be a tough task, but I’ll persist. I know we have to work hard and fast, to be strong from the start. I can’t promise titles, but I am convinced that the people will be proud of us”.

 
The national sides of Eto’o, Keita and Martín Cáceres all failed to win their group stage classifiers for the 2010 World Cup.
As well as the European Cup, this month various group stage classifiers for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa are being played. With a Barça presence in the three teams, Cameroon, Mali and Uruguay played against Tanzania, Sudan and Venezuela respectively, but they all failed to win.

Good draw for Cameroon

Cameroon stay group leader, thanks to their 0-0 draw with Tanzania. Samuel Eto’o played the full 90 minutes, and despite not scoring, played a key role in attack.

Mali lose

Mali, with Barça player Seydou Keita in their ranks, unexpectedly lost 3-2 to Sudan. However, they too remain group leader with six points.

Uruguay draw at home

New Barça signing Martín Cáceres played in Uruguay’s draw at home to Venezuela. The home side let two valuable points slip from their hands, and now have it difficult to qualify lying sixth in their group.

 
Despite being a regular first team player for two seasons, Zambrotta will now leave the club after being unable to agree new terms.
Zambrotta was a world champion with Italy in Germany and twice won the Serie A title with Juventus. With this experience behind him Gianluca Zambrotta joined Barça’s ranks. The deal was made official on 19 July 2006 and the Italian joined the Barça squad in the United States on 5 August.
The Italian defender, who was included in the 2006 World Cup XI, offered Rijkaard the possibility of playing on both sides of the pitch. He played on the left with Juventus but on the right with the national team. He almost always played right full back with Barça and quickly became an automatic choice.

Debut

Zambrotta made his Barça debut in the Spanish Super Cup in Montjuïc on 17 August 2006. He came on in the 81st minute as a substitute for Puyol. A Giuly goal won the game and Barça finished the job off in the Nou Camp with a 3-0 victory.

Statistics

Zambrotta played 58 league games, 11 cup games, 1 Spanish Super Cup game and 13 games in the Champions League.

Despite playing as a right full back, the Italian always tried to get involved in any attack and managed to score three goals, all great goals, and all of them coming in last year’s league campaign. His first came on 17 March 2007 in the Nuevo Colombino in Huelva; the second away to Atletico Madrid in the 0-6 rout; and the third in the last game of the season against Gimnastic of Tarragona.

This season

Zambrotta improved all the time and became an automatic first team player. In the first part of the season he shared the right back position with Carles Puyol and also lost nine games through injury. He was the eighth most used player by Rijkaard. Zambrotta played 29 league games, 7 champions League games and five games in the King’s Cup.

Against Multiple Sclerosis

Since 2004, Gianluca Zambrotta has collaborated with the Italian Association for Multiple Sclerosis (AISM). According to the Italian, “we sportsmen are much loved by our supporters and, with little effort, we can help a lot with, and get a lot of people actively involved in understanding an illness like Multiple Sclerosis”.

 
FC Barcelona and AC Milan have reached an official agreement so the transfer of Gianluca Zambrotta to the Italian club can be completed.
The 31-year-old defender will put pen-to-paper on a four-year contract with the Serie A outfit that will see him play at the San Siro until 2012. The transfer fee is €9m plus €2m more depending upon Milan’s performance in the Champions League over the next four seasons.

Zambrotta has played for Barcelona for the past two seasons after joining the club from Juventus in 2006 and helped the Blaugrana to win the Spanish Super Cup in his first season.

 
Zambrotta’s team keeps their hopes alive in the European Cup after an intense offensive clash with Romania. Mutu and Panucci were the authors of the two goals.
On his last day as a Barça player, Gianluca Zambrotta came out in Roberto Donadoni’s starting 11 in Italy’s important survival tie against Romania. After Italy’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Holland, the Italian coach made five changes to the starting line-up, but with Zambrotta being unaffected.

Ital ians take initiative

Romania nearly scored in the opening moments of the game, but Italy were quick to react and during the first 15 minutes they had various chances, with Del Piero nearly scoring in the 19th minute,

Attacking play

Then it was Romania’s turn to respond, with Mutu and Chivu producing great saves from Bufon. Both teams kept up their attacking pace during the first half, but Grosso, Perrota and Luca Toni were unable to strike home the centres from Zambrotta and Camoranesi. Toni finally headed the ball home from Gianluca Zambrotta's cross just before the interval, only to have the goal ruled offside.

From a 0-0 to a 1-1 draw

In the 54th minute, Mutu broke the deadlock by scoring after intercepting a back-header from Zambrotta to Buffon, putting Italy temporarily out of the European Cup. But Italy needed only a minute to respond, with Panucci touching in Chielleni’s header in the 55th minute.

Exciting second half

After Italy made it all square, the game opened up with both teams creating chances. Romania’s best opportunities came from Nicolai and Mutu. Lobont put in an excellent performance to prevent Italy taking the lead, and Buffon’s moment of glory came in the 79th minute, when he saved a penalty from Mutu.

Italy’s hopes still alive

Both teams continued attacking till the end, including a shot from Goian which produced a brilliant save from Buffon, but they were unable to break the 1-1 deadlock. Yet despite the draw, Italy can still qualify for the next round.

 
Although the club season has finished, four Barça players apart from those involved in EURO 2008 are facing a month of June full of football.
In addition to the eight Barça stars competing in the Austria-Switzerland European Championships, Messi, Cáceres, Eto'o and Keita are all involved in qualifying matches for the 2010 World Cup.

Messi and Cáceres, in South America

Messi and Cáceres both have games in the South American group. Messi is due to play for Argentina against Ecuador on 15th June followed by Brazil on 18th.

Meanwhile, new signing Martín Cáceres will turn out for Uruguay in Montevideo: against Venezuela on 14th June and then against Peru three days later.

The top four in the ten-country group are guaranteed a place in the South African World Cup. At the moment, Argentina is second and Uruguay sixth. The fifth placed side will get another chance via the playoffs.

Eto'o and Keita, in Africa

Two of Barça’s African stars also have two vital World Cup qualifiers. Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o will face Tanzania twice, on 14th June (away) and on 21st (at home).

Mali international Keita has two games against the Sudan, away on 14th and home on 22nd.

Cameroon and Mali currently head their groups and are on the right track to qualify for the next round.

 
Barça will play five friendlies in Scotland, Italy and the USA during the summer before starting their Champions League campaign and raising the curtain on the new season against Boca in the Joan Gamper. Most of the stadiums will be very familiar.
The only unknown quantity is who Barça will have to overcome in the Champions League to qualify for the group stage. However, Pep Guardiola already knows the rivals he will face in Scotland, Florence and the USA before the league season starts.

Murrayfield again

Between 21st and 26th July, Barça will embark for the second season in a row on a pre-season training camp in Saint Andrews (Scotland). The first friendly will be against Hibernian on 24th. The Edinburgh club, which was founded in 1875, plays at Easter Road but the match will be held at the 67,800 capacity Murrayfield, the home of Scottish rugby. Last season, Barça beat Hearts 1-3 in the same stadium.

The legend of Tannadice Park

Barça’s second rival will be Dundee United (26th July), who they beat 0-1 last year. Tannadice Park was opened in 1882 and is thus one of the oldest football stadiums in the world. It currently holds 14,200 spectators but the record attendance of 28,000 was in a 1966 Fairs Cup match between Dundee United and FC Barcelona.

Florence

The third friendly of the summer will be against Fiorentina in Florence on 30th July. The last time Barça played in the 47,000 capacity stadium was in the 1999-00 season in the Champions League. Barça, managed by Louis Van Gaal, fought out a 3-3 draw.

US tour

The last two friendlies before the Champions League qualifying matches will take place in the United States. On 3rd August Barça will face CD Guadalajara in Chicago’s Soldiers Field stadium. The last match will be against the New York Red Bulls in the Giants Stadium.

The Soldiers Field stadium is the only summer venue that Barça has never visited before. The stadium is home to the Chicago Bears of the NFL and has a capacity of 61,500 spectators. However, New York’s Giants Stadium will be well known to a number of the Barça players as Barça played the New York Red Bulls there in front of 80,000 fans in 2006. Apart from football – it was one of the host venues for the 1994 World Cup – the stadium is home to the city’s two NFL teams.

 
Josep Guardiola will be the fifteenth Catalan coach in the history of Barça. The last one was Carles Rexach in the 2001-02 season.
Over the course of its nearly 109 years of history, Barça has had 50 managers. The latest is Josep Guardiola who will also become the fifteenth Catalan to hold the post. From Forns to Rexach, below are Barça’s Catalan managers.

Forns the pioneer

Barça’s first Catalan manager was Romà Forns who was in charge for the 1927-28 and 28-29 seasons. In the second of these Barça won the first League title in its history. There were four more Catalan coaches over the next twenty years: Josep Planas in the 39-40 and 40-41 seasons, Ramon Guzman in 41-42, Josep Samitier from 1944 to 1947 and Ramon Llorens in 1950.

The time with most Catalans

In the 56-57 season Domènec Balmanya kicked off a period which featured the most Catalan coaches. Balmanya was there for another season followed by Enric Rabassa (1960), Lluís Miró (1961), Josep Gonzalvo (1963), Vicenç Sasot (1964-65), Salvador Artigas (1967-69) and Josep Seguer 1969-70. Then came a pause which wasn’t broken until the arrival of Joaquim Rifé in the 79-80 season.

18 years later

It would be 18 years before a Catalan was in the manager’s seat again, when Carles Rexach was in charge for a King’s Cup match in 1988 when Luis Aragonés was indisposed. Rexach did the same in the 90-91 and 95-96 seasons, firstly standing in for Cruyff for 9 games when he was on sick leave for a heart complaint, and the second time after the Dutchman was fired.

Six seasons later, Rexach again took the reigns at the start of the 2001-02 season. Since then no Catalan has been Barça’s coach until the arrival of Guariola.

 
With the confirmation of the date of the Joan Gamper Trophy, FC Barcelona’s first team has the bulk of its preseason laid out.
The Barça 2008/09 side managed by Josep Guardiola has its preseason pretty much mapped out. The team will be back in training in the middle of July and in the following month and a half in addition to training will play six friendlies and two official matches.

Kick off on 14 July

The first team are back at work on 14 July and will do a week’s training in Barcelona before going to Saint Andrews . They will be in Scotland from 21 to 26 July and will play friendlies against Hibs at Murrayfield on the 24th and Dundee United at Tannadice Park on the 26th.

Florence and the USA

After a few days back in Barcelona continuing with training, Barça will then go to Florence to play a friendly with Fiorentina on 30 July. The team will then set off on its FCB US Tour 2008 during which it will play CD Guadalajara on 3rd August in Chicago and the New York Red Bulls in New York on the 6th.

CL qualifier and Gamper

Back from the US, Barça will than have three matches, two of them at the Camp Nou. First up is the first leg of their Champions League qualifier on 12 or 13 August, to be followed by the Joan Gamper Trophy , which this year will feature Boca Juniors. Then comes the second leg of the CL qualifying tie on 26 or 27 August.

 
Martín Cáceres has stated that he is proud to have joined FC Barcelona after completing his move from Villarreal CF last week.
The Uruguayan defender spoke to Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat and revealed his thoughts on making the glamorous move to Camp Nou.

"Martin. I prefer that they call me Martin. If they call me José, then someone will end up calling me Pepe, and I don't want that. I prefer people to call me Martin". That is how the interview began between www.fcbarcelona.cat and Barça TV and the Uruguayan footballer Martin Cáceres who last Friday became the newest azulgrana acquisition  for the next 4 seasons.

Who told you that you were finally a Barça player? What was the process like?

"I knew everything that was going on days ago, but I was focussed on my national team. My agent was keeping me updated as things went along, but I told him that until it happened not to tell me anything. On Wednesday, when it was completed, he told me and I was very pleased. The first thing I did was call my parents and girlfriend.

It has been a spectacular year for you. Last summer you came from Defensor and after a season with Recreativo you have now signed for Barça.

"Yes, obviously. My career has been short. I have only being playing at the top level for two years so I am proud to have come so far, so fast. I am delighted to have spent a year with Recre and to now have moved to Barcelona."

What kind of player are you?

"I am young at 21 and want to achieve everything possible. I am quick, and I think I am strong, tough and I am good in the air."

Who are your heroes in the game?

"When I was in the youth teams I always watched the big clubs and liked players such as Sergio Ramos and Carles Puyol."

There is a lot of competition for a place in the team.

"Yes, I know. I am coming to a great club that has excellent players such as Piqué, Milito, Puyol and Rafa Márquez. I think it is going to be hard, but I will do my best."

Do you think it will take you time to adapt, coming to a big club?

"I do not think so, I am calm and humble and I do not think it will change me."

If all goes well in August, you will be playing in the Champions League.

"I am really want that to happen. When you are at a smaller club you watch the Champions' League and it is great. It is the best thing that can happen."

What do you know about the new coach, Pep Guardiola?

"I know that he has been in charge of Barça B. He played in midfield for the first team for many years; he was a determined player."

What has playing for Recre done for your game?

"A great deal. Coming from Uruguayan to Spanish Football means adapting to many differences. Villarreal loaned me there and I am very grateful they gave me that opportunity."

Have you had the chance to talk to former Barça players Gerard and Quique Álvarez about the club at Recre?

"I did with Gerard a bit. In the last few weeks he was always saying that Barça wanted me and I did not believe him. I thought he was joking. I did speak to him when it became a bit more serious though. I also had a good relationship with Quique Álvarez and I have previously spoken to him about Barcelona."

 
Leo Messi, Gerard Piqué and Martín Cáceres are the future of Barça. All three are 21 years old and will be playing together from July onwards. They are the class of 87.
There is plenty of young talent around Europe that was born in 1987, including Ben Arfa, Karim Benezma, Obi Mikel and Giuseppe Rossi, but there will be three particularly impressive cases playing at the Camp Nou next season: Leo Messi, Gerard Piqué and Martín Cáceres.

Former youth team colleagues

Leo Messi and Gerard Piqué have already played together at youth level. They were in the same Under 15 side when the centre back decided to move to Manchester’s junior side in 2004. Tito Vilanova, Guardiola’s assistant, managed Messi and Piqué in their younger days.

Now they are back together again. Messi is one of the stars of the Barça show, and is one of the finest players on the planet. The Argentinian may be the most famous of all the players of the 87 generation, but Piqué has matured a lot in the Premier League and should provide important structure to the Barça defence.

Cáceres storming onto the scene

Martín Cáceres, Barça’s latest signing, has the least experience of elite football. He made his debut for Defensor Sporting Club aged 19 and spent last season at Recreativo. Cáceres and Gerard Piqué met in Canada last summer in the FIFA Under 20 World Cup, while the Uruguayan has faced Messi in youth internationals in South America and also when Recreativo and Barça met at the Camp Nou and Nuevo Colombino last season.

 
Giovani Dos Santos is leaving FC Barcelona after six seasons in the club’s youth set-up and first team. The Mexican is set to try his luck in the English Premier League.
After just one season in Barça’s first team, Giovani is to join Premiership club Tottenham Hotspur and its Spanish manager Juande Ramos. The Mexican is determined to show that he can play in one of the world’s most competitive leagues

Six seasons at the club

Giovani Dos Santos joined FC Barcelona in the 2002/03 season to play in its Under-14s first XI. He moved up through the rest of the youth set-up before reaching Barça B in the 2006-07 campaign and making the leap into the first team last season.

Highs and lows

As a youth team player Giovani Dos Santos played in some very successful sides. The highlight was the League and Cup double achieved in the 2005-06 season with Alex Garcia’s Under-18s team which also featured Bojan, Marc Crosas and Sergio Busquets. The low point came the following year, when he was in the Barça B side that went down into the Third Division.

First team record

Giovani played in 38 official games in his only season with the first team. Most of them (28) were in the League with the other ten split between 5 in the Champions League and 5 in the Spanish Cup. He scored a total of 4 goals, one in the Champions League against Stuttgart and a hat-trick against Murcia in his last game in a Barça shirt.

 
The Joan Gamper Trophy now has a date and opponent. On August 16, Barcelona will face Boca Juniors, the second time they have played in the traditional season opener at the Camp Nou.
The Argentinian club was here last in the summer of 2003, the day Frank Rijkaard made his debut as manager. Now, five years later, Josep Guardiola meets the Argentine outfit in his opening match at the Camp Nou, in what promises a terrific footballing feast.

After Champions League

But Barça will have already played an official match by that time, for the Tuesday or Wednesday before they will have played the away leg of their Champions League qualifier against a rival yet to be determined.

A familiar foe

Boca Juniors include several players the Camp Nou knows only too well, including former player Juan Román Riquelme, who returned to Buenos Aires in 2007/08 from Vila-real. His strike partner also spent time in the Spanish league, Martín Palermo, as did Palacio, Ibarra and goalkeeper Battaglia.

5th appearance

Apart from 2003, when Barça won on penalties, Boca Juniors have played three other Joan Gampers. They were in 1967/68, 1977/78 and 1984/85 and on none of those occasions did they lift the trophy. August 16th gives them a fourth opportunity. The club that has played the most Gamper Trophies is PSV Eindhoven (6).

Last Gamper in mourning

The last Gamper was a match in mourning following the deaths of Antonio Puerta and Nicolau Casaus, so it was not the usual happy festival, although Barça won the match in astounding fashion, 5-0 against Inter Milan in front of a capacity crowd.

 
FC Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur FC have come to an agreement for the transfer of Giovani Dos Santos to the English club.
The Mexican will sign for the club managed by Juande Ramos until June 30, 2013 for a fee 6 million euros plus another 5 million depending on the player’s appearances for the London club during his five year’s of contract.

FC Barcelona also maintain 20% of the financial rights to any possible transfer of the player during his first two years of contract and 10% on any transfer from his new club, Tottenham Hotspur FC.

Giovani dos Santos, aged 19, joined Barça in 2002/03 and joined the Infantil A (Under 15) squad, eventually making his first team debut in 2007/08, in which he has played an intermittent part in Frank Rijkaard’s first team.

 
Sylvinho has renewed for another season at FC Barcelona, and the Brazilian hopes his fifth season at the club will be as brilliant as his first.
Aged 34 years, Sylvinho was delighted to be offered another year at the club., and told the press that “there will be a lot of changes in many ways and what we want to do now is to get the Camp Nou excited again, like it was 4 years ago. We want the people to identify with the team, and for the team to give the members what they want, good football ... FC Barcelona is a demanding club and any player that wants to stay here has to put their heart into it and I have always wanted to carry on playing here, doing things well and winning titles.”

Renewed contract

It has been a difficult year, and the full back knows that this renewal brings many commitments with it. “The end of the season was difficult but the club feels I made an important contribution and they are happy with me. Personally, I am very pleased. I was working well and things just needed to be put on the table and formalised. On a personal level, I am highly satisfied.”

New boss

When the season starts, he will be working under the orders of a new manager, Pep Guardiola. Says Sylvinho, “if he is the first team coach it is because he deserves the position. He has done a great job with the B team. He has plenty of character and knows the place well. He is the kind of person who will be enthusiastic about doing as good a job as possible.”

New arrivals

The three new signings made so far are all defensive players, Keita, Piqué and Cáceres. The Brazilian commented that “they are all players with a lot to give us. They had good seasons with their old clubs. And they are all young but experienced, and excited about coming here. We are going to get better, each of them has skills and physical qualities that will prove important.”

 
Martín Cáceres has signed for FC Barcelona for the next four seasons. His rescission clause has been set at 50 million euros.
The Uruguayan was in the Camp Nou offices on Friday morning to sign for the club for the next four seasons. So, Martín Cáceres becomes the third new player of the 2008/09 season. Moments after, the happy player spoke to the media about his expectations with his new team and posed for photographs.

Martín Cáceres arrived in Barcelona on Thursday. The same day, at 16.00, he took a medical on the FC Barcelona facilities. After these initial tests, club doctor Ricard Pruna described Cáceres’ fitness as being “like a child”.

Complete medical

On Friday morning, Martín Cáceres had a further series of medical tests to pass before he could sign his contract, all of which were satisfactory. The player will now be heading straight off to his native Uruguay, where his national side have World Cup qualifying matches on June 14 and 17 against Venezuela and Peru respectively.

 
Martín Cáceres arrived in Barcelona this morning and will undergo a medical examination at the club’s medical facilities at 16.00 this afternoon. The press will also be given a photo opportunity at the same time.
Caceres will complete his medical on Friday and is scheduled to officially sign for the club at noon the same day, when the press will again have an opportunity to photograph Barca’s latest signing.

 
Barça’s third new signing for next season has made his first comments to Barça TV and . Martín Cáceres told us. “I’m really keen to do well”.
On his arrival at Barcelona airport, the Uruguay defender said: “I’m very happy. I come from playing for Recreativo and now I’m going to play for Barça. This team has a lot of top quality players and is one of the biggest clubs in Europe”.

The Barça colours

Martín Cáceres emphasised: “I will defend the Barça colours to my utmost”. He also assured us that he will prove just what he can do during the coming season: “I’ll do my bit and give my all to do well”.

Finally he expressed his confidence that Villarreal and FC Barcelona will reach an agreement over the details of his transfer.

 
Josep Guardiola spoke to Barça TV and immediately after putting pen to paper to the deal that commits him to FC Barcelona for the next two seasons.
The new first team coach spoke about his meteoric rise to take the reins of the first team and revealed that his signature had been a mere formality: “It’s all been very quick. I decided to coach a short time ago and today we have formalised something that the president had already announced a few days ago. The only thing we’ve done today is make it official in front of you all”.

Focussed on Barça B

Before he takes charge of the first team, Guardiola must face the challenge of winning promotion with Barça B: “I’ve got my mind on Barbastro and I’m trying not to lose concentration though it’s inevitable that my thoughts are occasionally elsewhere. Barça B has to be in a higher division. There’ll be plenty of time to talk and think about the future”. However he revealed that the preparation of the first team is on track: “We’re following the necessary steps, so don’t worry”.

 
On Thursday midday, Josep Guardiola put pen to paper as the new first team head coach for the next two seasons.
The official signing ceremony to make Josep Guardiola the football head coach of FC Barcelona from 30th June took place in the Club’s office on Thursday lunchtime. His appointment had been previously announced on 8th May.

Tito Vilanova

In the same ceremony, Tito Vilanova – who has worked alongside Guardiola with Barça B this season - signed up to join the first team coaching staff. Barça B are currently locked in a battle to gain promotion to Second B and this Sunday will play the first leg of the second round of the playoffs against Basbastro.

 
Martín Cáceres had the first part of his medical on Thursday afternoon. Team doctor, Ricard Pruna, was impressed by the youthful condition of the Uruguay defender.
Martín Cáceres arrived in Barcelona on Thursday morning and at 4 pm reported to the Camp Nou medical centre for the first batch of medical tests.

In perfect condition

Team doctor, Ricard Pruna, told us: “He’s unscathed. He’s like a child. He hasn’t got any damage to his tendons or muscles and no scars”. Dr Pruna also explained that Cáceres had undergone a heart test, a strength test and a series of scans and studies.

No aftereffects

During the examination, Martín Cáceres explained that he had suffered a thigh injury last season but the tests showed that there are no aftereffects whatsoever. According to Dr Pruna: “If he hadn’t told us anything we wouldn’t have found any sign of it, which means there are no aftereffects. He hasn’t got any illness or injury that could affect his performance in the future”.

 
Martín Cáceres has come to Barça after a tremendous season at Recreativo Huelva. The 21 year old Uruguayan defender was a member of a team of eleven new Liga stars nominated by UEFA.
Martín Cáceres is Barça’s third signing for the 2008/09 season. Like Gerard Piqué, he is a young but promising centre back, who aged just 21 years has already shown his worth at Recreativo Huelva. The Uruguayan is a natural leader and was a key contributor to the Andalusian club ensuring another season of top flight football

A busy summer

After starting out with Defensor in Montevideo, Martín Cáceres made his leap to the big time in the summer of 1007. At the South American Under 20 championship, he helped Uruguay to third place and was named best defender of the tournament. He also performed well at the Under 20 World Cup in Canada, and attracted the interest of several big clubs in Europe.

Arrival in Spain

Villarreal signed his services, but sent him on loan to Recreativo Huelva. Cáceres, 1.82 cm tall, is strong in the air, fast, aggressive and versatile. As well as playing centre back, he can also fit in as a full back or defensive midfielder. He played 33 games for Recre, scoring twice, and collected ten yellow cards.

International recognition

His great form for Huelva won him plenty of plaudits. UEFA named him alongside Bojan Krkic in their team of promising new faces in the Spanish league, Martín Cáceres has also gone on to win a place in the Uruguayan senior side.

 
Touré Yaya is still immersed in his recovery programme, and has said “little by little I am getting over my troubles and in a couple of weeks I will be back to full fitness”.
Touré Yaya has had a massive impact on the defensive midfield aspect of FC Barcelona since he came to the club, but a slipped disc has blighted much of his season, on which he was operated on May 13. The Ivorian told Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat how things are going and what he expects from the team next year.

- What stage of your recovery have you reached?

“Last week I worked in the gym and on the pitch. I think it’s all going well now.”

- What is everyday life like?

“Little by little I am getting over my troubles and in a couple of weeks I will be back to full fitness.”

- Have you started ball work?

“I’m not using the ball yet, I’m mainly in the gym because it’s important for a player to do a lot of work in the gym before going onto the field.”

- How’s the back?

“I’m really pleased because it’s much better now and doesn’t bother me as much. To be honest, I don’t know how I managed to play with so much pain because it was really bad. But everything’s fine now.”

- Talking about the summer are you looking forward to well-deserved holiday?

“Yes. In three weeks time I’m off to the Ivory Coast and then I’ll be back in Barcelona.”

- Do you think you’ll be fit for the pre-season and the season after?

“Yes, I need two more weeks of intense training and then I’ll be able to train normally with the rest of the group.”

- At the moment Barça have bolstered the defence through the signings of Seydou Keita and Gerard Piqué. What do you think of those two players?

“I think that physically and technically they’re two important signings. I know Seydou Keita, he is a very physical player, he’ll help the team. As for Gerard Piqué, I don’t know much about him but I’ve seen him in some games, like against Roma, and I think he’s a strong player that will help the club.”

- In his first interview as a Barça player, Seydou Keita said he knew you and was looking forward to playing alongside you and making the Barça defence unpierceable.

“I think Keita really wants to win things with Barça because he is a very good player with a good mentality, I know all about him because we played at the African Nations Cup and he’ll help us a lot.”

- As for next season, you’ll be playing under Pep Guardiola. Have you had the chance to speak with him?

“I haven’t spoken to him but I think he is somebody who will be able to help the club because last season was pretty bad and we need to sign new players to get better. But I think he is a club man and that can help the team a lot”.

- What did you personally make of your first season at Barça?

“The people around me tell me I had a good season, but all I know is that Barça didn’t win anything. Truth is, it’s been a hard season for me especially because I got injured three or four times and it’s not easy, as I have never had so many injuries. Finishing third was very poor but I am convinced that next season will be better than the last.”

 
FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF have reached an agreement for the transfer of José Martín Cáceres. The transfer fee has been set at €16.5 million.
The defender will sign a four-year contract with the Blaugrana and will have a buy-out clause of €50 million inserted in to the deal.

 
In December last year at San Mamés, Albert Jorquera’s right knee gave way. Five months later he now sees the light at the end of the tunnel and hopes to be back soon as one of the first team’s three keepers.
Jorquera is getting back to full fitness and hopes to be able to take the field again soon. “I’m in the home straight,” he says, “and I feel better and more hopeful every day. I’ve already started doing harder stuff, including knee twists, and I can kick the ball again.”

Preseason

Barça will start getting ready for the 2008-09 season next 15 July. “I reckon I can make it but only just, “says Jorquera. “You have a schedule and if you can meet it all well and good so I hope to get the green light just before preseason starts.” He’ll find competition for the goalkeeper’s spot from Víctor Valdés and José Manuel Pinto. “Obviously that makes things different, as another goalkeeper means that things have to be shared out more,” says Jorquera. “Before there were just two of us and now there are three, and that makes a big difference in goal, so there’ll be more competition.”

Rijkaard and Guardiola

Another of the differences he’ll find is that Frank Rijkaard has gone to be replaced by Josep Guardiola. “I’ll remember Frank Rijkaard for his personality, how he was able to manage a dressing room that’s as difficult as ours, and the way he did things,” says Jorquera. “I don’t know much about Pep Guardiola as a coach, but I know he’s mad about football and studies it a lot, and I’m convinced that he can bring a lot of good things to the club.”

The unforgettable noise

Like many other footballers who’ve suffered the same injury, Jorquera can’t forget the noise made by the snap of a cruciate ligament. “Yes, I heard that unmistakeable crack and I knew straightaway that something serious had happened in my knee,” he says. “I told the doctors and my team-mates not to worry as it was a clean break.”

 
Thierry Henry has played his 100th game for France and played a key role by being involved in the penalty incident that led to a 1-0 victory for Raymond Domènech against Colombia.
It was a special night for Thierry Henry. The Frenchman started the game at the Saint-Denis against Colombia, his 100th for Les Bleus. It was the Barça player who was brought down in the 23rd minute for a penalty converted by Ribéry, the only goal of the game. Henry came close to scoring in the 41st minute from a free kick before being replaced in the 76th minute by Anelka, having received a yellow card.

Top scorer for France

In 100 games, Henry has scored 44 goals, the most anybody has ever scored for France. He made his international debut on October 11, 1997, against South Africa (2-1), and has scored almost a goal every two games since.

Thuram and Abidal also play

Barcelona’s other two Gallic internationals, Abidal and Thuram, also played, but for the full 90 minute. Thuram holds the record for the most internationals for his country, an amazing 140 caps.

 
Five azulgranas played in yesterday’s warm-up friendlies for the 2008 European Championships: Xavi, Puyol, Iniesta, Henry and Deco. Spain and Portugal beat Peru (2-1) and Georgia (2-0), while France only managed a scoreless draw against Paraguay.
Of the five Barça internationals only Puyol played the full ninety minutes. The Barcelona captain started the European Championships warm up friendly against Peru, which proved to be a difficult match but Spain eventually ran out 2-1 winners in the Nuevo Colombino stadium in Huelva. Xavi and Iniesta also started the game but were later substituted in the second half for Cesc and Cazorla respectively. The two midfielders were the best players for the national side whose play was irregular to say the least.

Xavi decisive for 1-0

Spain took the lead after 37 minutes. Xavi picked out Valencia’s David Villa with a great pass and the striker stroked the ball home past the Peruvian keeper, Butron. Luis Aragones’s side created more chances to kill the game off but it was the Peruvians who scored next, equalising in the 73rd minute when Rengifo made the most of a bad rebound off Marchena. In the last few minutes Spain played courageously and in time added on Capdevila volleyed home spectacularly from a Cesc cross.

Henry unable to avoid a draw against Paraguay

Henry was the only azulgrana on the French side who played against Paraguay in Toulouse. Thuram and Abidal didn’t play in what was a very dull game with France unable to do any better than a 0-0 draw. Henry played the full first half and had a great goal scoring chance after only six minutes. He was substituted at half-time by Gomis but France’s attack didn’t improve.

Portugal win but fail to impress

Deco started for Portugal against Georgia in the Fontelo stadium in the Portuguese city of Viseo. Deco played the first 45 minutes of an uneventful game and was substituted at half-time by Raul Meireles. The Barça midfielder had a good chance to score on 32 minutes but his long range effort went just wide.

 
Gerard Pique and Milito will once again wear the same shirt. The two defenders coincided at Zaragoza for one season and one year later they will both find themselves Barça players.
Gerard Pique will soon meet up with those players he played with during his time in the youth ranks of the club, as well as Gaby Milito, who he played with for one season at Zaragoza. In his first interview as a Barcelona player, given to Barça TV, Pique spoke about his relationship with the Argentinian, with whom he formed a central defensive partnership on several occasions.

22 games in common

Gerard Pique played 22 league games with Zaragoza, 18 of which he played alongside Milito. Of the 18 games, they won 8, lost 4 and drew 6.

Centre-half partnership

Victor Fernandez played Gerard Pique in two positions. Although the vast majority of games he played in midfield in front of the back four, he also played as a centre-half. Pique partnered Gaby Milito at the back in nine games, winning three, drawing four and losing two, conceding 8 goals.