FCBARCELONA.CAT

19.06.2010 13:10

Barça: the start of glittering careers

Sandra Sarmiento

Several people who have alongside Guardiola, Frank Rijkaard and Louis Van Gaal have gone to have managerial careers of their own. Juan Carlos Unzué is the latest example after Eusebio Sacristán, Henk Ten Cate and José Mourinho did likewise.

After helping win Leagues and Champions Leagues with Barça under prestigious managers like Rijkaard, Van Gaal and Guardiola, assistants José Mourinho, Henk Ten Cate, Eusebio Sacristán and Juan Carlos Unzué have all had successful managerial careers on leaving Barcelona.

Mourinho, two Champions League

José Mourinho was Louis Van Gaal’s right hand man after Bobby Robson departed. The Portuguese coach soon won the manager and players’ support and after winning two Leagues with Barça he left to manage Porto in 2000. In ten years he has won the league in three different countries and won two Champions Leagues with Porto and Inter.

Ten Cate through the front door

Henk Ten Cate assisted Rijkaard for three years, the first three years of the Laporta era. He helped form a winning team, winning the club’s second Champions League trophy before leaving to manage Ajax and later Chelsea and Panathinaikós. He is now coaching in Qatar.

Eusebio at Celta

Eusebio Sacristán was another of Rijkaard’s assistants. From 2003 to 2008, when the Dutchman was replaced by Guardiola. This season he has worked as head coach for Celta, a club he played at for two seasons.