MANOLO CADENAS

MANOLO CADENAS

Manolo Cadenas Montañés, born on May 20, 1955 in Valdevimbre (León), has been coach of the FC Barcelona handball first team since the 2007-08 season.

Manolo Cadenas started as a youth handball coach in Leganés. He worked there with future stars for 11 years and a pavilion was named in his honour. He then turned professional at Naranco in Oviedo, where he managed the club for three years (1986-1989). His first titles as a coach were won with Teka Cantabria (1989-1991), including the Asobal Cup and a Cup Winners Cup in his first season. In two years at the Santander based club he led the side to second in the league before moving on to Valladolid, where he would spend the next four seasons (1991-1995).

His main team until now, however, has been Ademar León, who he coached for 12 seasons. His led the team to one Asobal League (2001), two Cup Winners Cups (1999, 2005), one Copa del Rey (2002) and one Asobal Cup (1999).

Cadenas is a characteristically tough, ambitious coach, with a strong sense of discipline and desire to see players take a professional attitude. He is an extraordinarily dedicated worker and his many years of experience have made him a master tactician, and he is not afraid to take risks. He has managed some of the finest players in the country, and has taken many players through to international level.