02.07.2011 13:39
Sandra Sarmiento
The Club’s Sporting Director of Professional Football, Andoni Zubzarreta can look back on his first year in the post with great satisfaction , with the 3 titles for the 1st team, a 3rd spot for the B team and a treble for the Youth team.
One of new President Sandro Rosell’s first decisions was to replace Txiki Begiristain with
Andoni Zubizarreta and divide the football section into two parts: professional and academy. Zubi
was to be the man in charge of the first team, B team and Youth teams, working hand in hand with
Narcís Julià and Albert Valentín. The ex-Barça keeper, who recently renewed his contract until 2013
has worked with enthusiasm, commitment and discretion and enjoyed a year of great success.
New signings
Guardiola’s team had finished the 2009/10 season with four titles and really
set the bar high. Small changes were needed and the squad remodelling was to be carried out with
two main ideas: the economic conditions and the need for any new signings to easily adapt to
Barça’s style of play.
Andoni Zubizarreta made his first move by bringing in two players - Adriano and Mascherano.
Two versatile players who fit into the Barça philosophy, whilst Chygrinski , Ibrahimovic, Touré,
Marquez and Henry all moved on.
Contract renewals
Once the season had begun, it was time to renew the contracts of the
backbone of the team which was making history and one by one, Sergio Busquets, Dani Alves, Seidou
Keita, José Manuel Pinto and the two masterminds behind the team Guardiola and Tito Vilanova passed
through the President’s office to sign up for their contract renewals. The sporting directors
and Club Vice President Josep Maria Bartomeu were also quick to snap up Ibrahim Afellay in the
winter transfer window.
Two trebles
All that work has brought the Club plenty of titles this season: the first team
taking the Spanish Super Cup, La Liga and in brilliant style the Champions League, the B team
coming third in the Second Division and the Youth A team also winning a treble. Zubi has put in a
great first season and continues to work for new success in the future.
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