Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino: Unheard of 'Bielsista' the logical choice for Barcelona

50-year-old Martino led Newell’s Old Boys to the semi-finals of the Copa Liberatadores, where they were knocked out by Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro. (Getty Images)

Like his mentor, Martino is adored by the fans and has a stand named after him at the home ground. Bielsa is a legend in Rosario, so much so that the Newell’s stadium was renamed after him in 2009.

Martino began coaching in 1998, and Barcelona will be his tenth club in 15 years. His biggest achievements to date are leading the Paraguayan national team to the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup and taking them to the final of the Copa America in 2011.

In the last eight of the World Cup in South Africa, Iker Casillas saved an Oscar Cardozo penalty with the score tied at nil-nil. Spain’s all-time leading scorer David Villa then netted a late goal to secure a hard-fought 1-0 triumph for the eventual world champions.

The 2011 Copa America final in Argentina saw 2010 World Cup Golden Ball winner, Diego Forlan score a brace to inspire Uruguay to a 3-0 win. Luis Suarez scored the opener in a rather one-sided affair. Martino stepped down as the head coach at the end of the tournament.

Prior to his one year spell back home with Newell’s, Martino hasn’t actually taken charge of a club since 2006, though he did win three Paraguayan titles – across two spells – at Lidertad. And for someone who has never managed in Europe, getting used to managing a club with the expectations of Barcelona under the constant watchful eye of the media will not be an easy task.

By appointing Martino, the Barcelona board has broken its tradition of promoting from within the ranks or in keeping with its Dutch identity from the time of Johan Cruyff, Louis Van Gaal or Frank Rijkaard.

Martino is cut from the same cloth as Guardiola or Vilanova. With his style of play he will prove a perfect fit in Barcelona’s core tiki-taka values. The only change he would have to make is to try and accommodate new signing Neymar alongside countryman Lionel Messi.

In the four-time Ballon d’Or winner, Martino has a confidant in the dressing room; as he was his hand-picked favourite for the job. Messi, like his new manager, was born in Rosario and played for Newell’s as a child in the youth system.

Martino may be unheard of but is the most logical choice of all, being a bielsista. And we can expect little to change at Camp Nou, as he advocates the same school of thought of his predecessors.

As an outsider, the expectations will probably be higher, but Tata has all the essentials needed to succeed at Blaugrana. It is rather invigorating that a club like Barca are getting creative rather than pursuing a big name.