Former Barcelona assistant manager joins Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru, July 7: I-League champions and giants of Indian football Bengaluru FC have successfully roped in former FC Barcelona assistant manager, Albert Roca as their new club manager.

Roca, 53, who has signed a 2-year-deal with the club, will replace Ashley Westwood at the helm of of affairs. Westwood left the club a month back after completing 3 successful season with BFC. He had won 2 I-Leagues, 1 Federation Cup and reached the AFC Cup quarter-finals.

The Spanish manager served as an assistant to the legendary Dutch footballer aFrank Rijkaard from 2003-2008 at Barcelona and at Galatasaray in 2009-10.

His last assignment was as head coach of the El Salvador national team.

Albert Roca was delighted with his new job in India. Speaking to the official website of the club he said: "I'm very satisfied to have signed with Bengaluru FC. They are the champions of India, have fantastic supporters and most importantly, have a great support system and a management that is always hands on and wants to stay at the top. I want to assure our supporters that we will always give it our best. I want the supporters to be happy about the way we play."

Bengaluru FC have reached the quarter-final of AFC Cup which will be played in Septemeber. The former FC Barcelona assistant manager mentioned that he would focus on AFC Cup first as he takes charge at the club.

He added: "The AFC Cup quarterfinal is definitely going to be a big challenge but we will do our best to get a good result and make the semis."

After Roca's appointment as the new manager, club CEO Parth Jindal said: "We are very excited to announce Albert Roca as the new coach of Bengaluru FC. He is, what I would call, a major signing at the club. Albert has been with some of the best clubs in Europe as well as spent time in developing countries because of which he will have a great sense of the challenges India would bring.

"We have had a very successful three years and Albert is only going to compound the efforts we have been making. He has also done some commendable work with young players in his career and that is absolutely in line with the philosophy of BFC where we are trying to develop players into stellar talent for the future."

They confirmed the news on their official twitter handle. The tweet read:

Ex @FCBarcelona asst manager Albert Roca has been appointed as the Blues Coach: https://t.co/IS4m97Sqkv #WelcomeRoca pic.twitter.com/k8FzUNfykn

— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) July 6, 2016

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