Gerardo Martino: “Squad’s morale could not be higher”

New Barcelona boss Gerardo “Tata” Martino was speaking at a press conference yesterday ahead of his team’s trip to Vigo to play Celta tonight and said: “Winning the Clasico is always a boost and the squad’s morale couldn’t be higher”. Martino faces ex Barca B boss Luis Enrique whose side demolished Malaga at the weekend by 5 goals to nil. Read more

Martino rests Neymar, Alexis and Alves

Neymar, Alves and Alexis were rested by Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino after coming back from international duty at the weekend. They are due to get back in training today at 18:00. Meanwhile, Messi, Mascherano and Puyol have been training with the main squad this week and could make the squad for the weekend providing they are given the all-clear by Barca’s medics.More on this story

Tata Martino to put brakes on signing new central defender

It appears that new Argentine coach Gerardo Martino has put the breaks on any new signings of a central defender. Martino would like one and still hopes that he gets one, but with the prospect of bringing in a new player that cannot play Barca’s style of football and adapt quickly, Tata prefers to wait for Puyol. More on Martino’s stance on a new central defender

Martino to wait for Puyol and Barca may not sign new defender

With the end of August looming and Barca no nearer to signing a new central defender, Tata Martino looks like he’s willing to wait for a fully fit Carles Puyol. Puyol will be ready in mid September and Barca are running out of options to sign either high ticket item David Luiz from Chelsea or Daniel Agger from Liverpool. More on Barca’s defense quandary

Messi adamant he did not pick Tata Martino

Barcelona’s star player Leo Messi has said that he had nothing to do with Gerardo Martino becoming the new coach at the Catalan giants. The appointment of Martino has caused lots of speculation among fans as to whether Messi used his weight at the club to influence the decision to sign him. Did Messi use his influence in the signing of Martino?

Andrés Iniesta gives new Barca coach Tata Martino seal of approval

Barca’s Andrés Iniesta supports the decision of the signing of the Argentine coach and stresses that now it’s up to the players to fulfil their duty. Iniesta was speaking at a function in which he planted the first tree in a reforestation project by Sony and WWF in the village of Júzcar which was used in the film The Smurfs. Read more on Andres Iniesta

Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino to be announced as new Barca coach

With just the official announcement to be made by Barcelona, Gerardo Tata Martino will take the helm of FC Barcelona as the replacement for Tito Vilanova who stepped down last Friday due to a relapse of his illness.The coach is currently in Rosario, Argentina and will arrive on Wednesday which rules him out of Barca’s game against Bayern Munich. More on Barcelona’s new coach

Tata Martino to negotiate today with Barca for job of coach

Tata Martino, the Argentine coach looks set to be announced as Tito Vilanova’s replacement. The club has been working round the clock since last Friday and narrowed their list down to just three: Tata Gerardo Martino, Luis Enrique and Andre Villas Boas. Read more here about Tata Martino