Barcelona confirm Martino as Vilanova’s replacement

Barcelona have appointed Gerardo Martino as their new manager.

The 50-year-old Argentine, who led Newell’s Old Boys to the Clausura title last season, will sign a two-year contract to replace Tito Vilanova, who has suffered a relapse of his throat cancer.

“FC Barcelona have reached an agreement to appoint Gerardo Martino as the new coach of the football team for the next two seasons. This agreement is pending the drafting and signing of the contract,” a club statement read.

“In the coming hours [a programme will be planned for] his arrival in Barcelona, signing the contract and the subsequent presentation.”

Martino, who was picked ahead of stellar names like including Luis Enrique, Andre Villas-Boas, Marcelo Bielsa, Michael Laudrup and Guus Hiddink, who resigned as coach of Anzhi Makhachkala on Monday, will become the fourth Argentine to coach the La Liga champions, after Roque Olsen, Helenio Herrera and Cesar Luis Menotti.

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