Martino Signs a Two-Year Contract With Barcelona.

Gerardo 'Tata' Martino and Barca President Sandro Rosell.
Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino and Barca President Sandro Rosell.

New Barcelona manager Gearardo ‘Tata’ Martino has signed a two year contract with the Catalan giants and was officially presented to the media for the first time since last Monday’s announcement, today (Friday).

Martino was accompanied by his assistant, Jorge Pautasso, and fitness coach, Elvio Paolorosso, in the presence of club president Sandro Rosell, vice president Josep Maria Bartomeu and Carles Vilarrubi, among others, to pen down for the Baulgranas.

At a press conference in the Auditori 1899, the former Newell Old Boys boss outlined his targets for Barca, saying:

“I’ve got two main things to think about- the style of the club and the style of the players. I look at the way they want to work and how comfortable they feel. I want to introduce a few ideas of my own to make the team even more complete.”

Martino also shed light on the future partnership of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi and new £49m signing Neymar, insisting the duo can be a success playing together in the same team.

“I don’t think two players like Neymar and Messi are not going to be able to play together- it’s not going to be a problem,” Martino, 50, said. “If they can’t then it would be the coach’s problem not the player’s problem.”

“Messi has played in different positions, but he’s scoring more than ever now, I won’t change his position,” Tata added.

On the age-long rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid the manager said: “Classico’s are important, but those games alone don’t win you any trophy.”

New Barcelona Manager, Gerardo Martino.
New Barcelona Manager, Gerardo Martino.

Born in Rosario, Martino led Paraguay to the 2010 South Africa World Cup and officially left the position after the 2011 Copa America to take over at his hometown club, Newell Old Boys, in 2012. He had turned down managerial jobs from Real Sociedad and Malaga this season because of his commitment to Newell Old Boys, who lost to Copa Libertadores champions Atletico Mineiro in the semi-final of the competition.

He becomes the fourth Argentinean manager in FC Barcelona’s history, following the footsteps of Roque Olsen, Helenio Herrera and Cesar Luis Menotti.