Although popularity of soccer has ever been on the top in Europe, we have seen this outdoor sport gaining in popularity in nontraditional regions, like Asia, as well, hence more and more Eastern clubs are hiring European players/coaches to improve their play level to match with any western soccer club. India is one such region where popularity of soccer has been on rise and sponsors are now willing to invest money on soccer clubs which empowered these sides to hire expensive coaches and players. Bengaluru FC is one such side who has signed former assistant at Barcelona Albert Roca on two years contract as head coach. The news could be little itchy for Barcelona fans but for Indian soccer fans it is a big boost to have the services of former Barcelona elite. Roca is expected to debut his Asian career mentoring Bengaluru in the AFC Cup quarterfinal against Singapore club Tampines Rovers in September. If we talk about 53-year-old Spanish football manager, he has spent some quality time at Camp Nou under Frank Rjikaard and during his five years regime in Spain, he helped them win two La Liga, two Spanish Super Cups, as well as the UEFA Champions League.
After Rjikaard left Barcelona for Turkish club Galatasaray in 2009, Roca followed him until he got an opportunity to lead Saudi Arabia national team. As far his play career is concerned, he has played for Spanish clubs Real Zaragoza and CE Sabadell FC in the La Liga so he is a worth respectable name in soccer and European fans still admire him for his dedication and performance doing his job. Talking about the high profile signing, Parth Jindal, Bengaluru’s CEO, said, “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.”
Likewise Roca also shared his excitement joining Bengaluru, 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.”