Josep Gombau Explained

Josep Gombau
Fullname:Josep Gombau Balague
Birth Date:1976 6, df=yes
Birth Place:Amposta, Spain
Height:1.85 m
Position:Goalkeeper
Youthyears1:1982–1992
Youthclubs1:Amposta
Manageryears1:1993–1999
Managerclubs1:Amposta
Manageryears2:1999–2003
Managerclubs2:Espanyol (youth)
Manageryears3:2003–2009
Managerclubs3:Barcelona (youth)
Manageryears4:2009–2013
Managerclubs4:Kitchee
Manageryears5:2013–2015
Managerclubs5:Adelaide United
Manageryears6:2016–2017
Managerclubs6:Australia U23
Manageryears7:2016–2017
Managerclubs7:Australia (assistant)
Manageryears8:2017–2018
Managerclubs8:Western Sydney Wanderers
Manageryears9:2018–2020
Managerclubs9:Delhi Dynamos
Manageryears10:2020–2022
Managerclubs10:Queensboro
Manageryears11:2022–2023
Managerclubs11:Odisha
Manageryears12:2023
Managerclubs12:Persebaya Surabaya
Manageryears13:2024–
Managerclubs13:Aston Villa U21s

Josep Gombau Balague (born 5 June 1976) is a Spanish professional football manager. He is the current Head Coach of the Aston Villa U21s.[1]

He is a former Barcelona youth team coach and has held multiple positions at the club's youth academy.[2]

Career

Born in Amposta, Tarragona, Catalonia, Gombau was a goalkeeper, but switched to coaching at the age of 16.[3] [4] After coaching youth teams in Amposta and Espanyol, he was signed by Barcelona in 2003 as a youth academy coach.[5] [6] [7] In 2008, he became the technical director of FCB Escola, a Barcelona youth football academy opened at the Raffles International School in Jumeirah, Dubai.[8] [9]

Kitchee

Gombau moved to Hong Kong to join Kitchee as the club's head coach in 2009.[10] Under Gombau, Kitchee won two league titles, two FA Cups, and one League Cup.[11] Before the 2012 AFC Cup away match to Tampines Rovers, Kitchee captain Chu Siu Kei applauded the contribution of Gombau to the team, saying: "The coach understands that the players might be smaller than those in the other teams, but using the ball more on the ground gives us an advantage over our opponents. We have more control of the game now".[12]

Adelaide United

On 30 April 2013, it was announced that Gombau would leave Kitchee to coach Adelaide United in the A-League. He signed a two-season deal, arriving at the club in July 2013.[13] His first two signings were compatriots and Barcelona youth products Sergio Cirio and Isaías Sánchez. Gombau also brought his long-time assistant coach Pau Marti to work alongside existing assistant coach Michael Valkanis.[14] Gombau stated that he wants to implement a possession-based football style at Adelaide.[15] [16] Gombau actively exercised his ambition to develop South Australian grassroots football by hosting free seminars for local coaches.[17] Gombau's United won the inaugural FFA Cup by defeating Perth Glory 1–0.[18] Gombau left the club in July 2015 to take up a youth coaching role in the United States.[19]

Australia U-23

Known as a developer of talent, on 28 June 2016, Gombau was appointed as head coach of Australia U-23 in place of Aurelio Vidmar, under whom the team failed to qualify for the Olympics.[20]

Western Sydney Wanderers

On 1 November 2017, Gombau was assigned as head coach of Western Sydney Wanderers following the departure of Tony Popovic at the beginning of the season and Hayden Foxe acting as interim coach in the first four rounds.[21] After just six months in charge, 19 April 2018, the club announced they had terminated Gombau's contract after failing to qualify for the 2017/18 A-League Finals Series.[22]

Delhi Dynamos / Odisha FC

On 2 August 2018, Gombau was appointed as head coach of the Indian Super League club Delhi Dynamos following the departure of Miguel Ángel Portugal.[23] Under Gombau, the team did not qualify for the playoffs and placed eighth on the points table, but the team's performance improved. Ahead of the 2019–20 Indian Super League season, the club changed its base from Delhi to Odisha and rebranded as Odisha FC. He extended his contract with the club and they finished sixth in the 2019–20 season table, closely missing the playoffs spot. On 18 March 2020, Gombau and the club amicably parted ways for personal reasons.[24]

On 6 May 2021, he was announced as a member of the club's technical committee along with David Villa and Victor Oñate.[25]

Queensboro FC

In July 2020, Gombau was announced as the first-ever head coach and sporting director for David Villa's planned USL Championship club Queensboro FC.[26] After the club's scheduled start date was pushed back twice, and with its future in doubt, he left his positions in June 2022.[27] The organization folded shortly thereafter.

Return to Odisha

On 8 June 2022, Gombau rejoined Odisha FC as the head coach on a two-year deal.[28]

Persebaya Surabaya

On 14 September 2023, Gombau was appointed as Persebaya Surabaya new head coach. However, he was later sacked a month later on 28 October 2023, after only managed for 6 matches, with only one win.

Aston Villa U21

On 11 January 2024, Gombau was appointed Head Coach of Aston Villa Under-21s. On 15 May 2024, Gombau lead Aston Villa U21 to their first Birmingham Senior Cup win since 1985.[29]

Personal life

Gombau and his wife Romina[30] have two daughters, Bruna and Maria.[31]

Managerial statistics

Managerial record by team and tenure
TeamFromToRecord
Kitchee1 August 200930 April 2013[32] [33] [34] [35]
Adelaide United1 July 201323 July 2015[36] [37]
Western Sydney Wanderers1 November 201719 April 2018[38]
Odisha2 August 201818 March 2020[39] [40]
Queensboro6 July 20207 June 2022
Odisha8 June 202211 March 2023[41] [42]
Persebaya Surabaya14 September 202328 October 2023
Total

Honours

Kitchee SC

Adelaide United

Aston Villa U21

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024-01-11 . Aston Villa appoint Josep Gombau as Under-21 Head Coach . 2024-01-12 . Aston Villa Football Club.
  2. Web site: Kitchee's head coach Josep Gombau Balague, former coaching staff at the FC Barcelona soccer team, leaves after the first half of the Japan earthquake – photo . https://web.archive.org/web/20130928042516/https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/27052011/5/photo/27052011161147.html . 2013-09-28 . Eurosport . Associated Press. 27 May 2011 . Kin Cheung . Photograph . Hong Kong . Kitchee's head coach Josep Gombau Balague, former coaching staff at the FC Barcelona soccer team, leaves after the first half of the Japan Earthquake Relief Charity match Spanish's soccer team Villarreal against Hong Kong's local team Kitchee in Hong Kong Friday, May 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung).
  3. News: Josep Gombau's tiki-taka touch wins Adelaide United over . The Sydney Morning Herald . 9 October 2013 . 24 July 2015 . Kemp, Emma.
  4. Gombau chats to TWG . 13 August 2013 . 24 July 2015 . Gombau . Josep . Vitor Sobral . The World Game . https://web.archive.org/web/20150724161822/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/video/41985603614/Gombau-chats-to-TWG . 24 July 2015 .
  5. News: Tiqui-taca en Australia . am14.net . 24 October 2013 . 24 July 2015 . Blanco, Jordi . es.
  6. News: Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau vows to scout for SA's best talent . The Advertiser . 18 July 2013 . 24 July 2015 . Migliaccio, Val . Adelaide.
  7. News: In the presence of Cruyff . PlayersVoice . 4 November 2017 . 6 November 2017 . Gombau, Josep .
  8. News: A touch of Barcelona magic in Dubai . Gulf News . 5 February 2009 . 24 July 2015 . Alvares, Rohan . 21 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130721164105/http://gulfnews.com/sport/football/a-touch-of-barcelona-magic-in-dubai-1.486285 .
  9. News: Gombau bringing Barca Down Under . ESPN FC . 7 May 2013 . 24 July 2015 . Brooks, Rob.
  10. http://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/sport/20090421/00286_009.html 巴塞名帥來港發展
  11. News: Play-off win perfect gift for departing Gombau . South China Morning Post . 27 May 2013 . Chan Kin-wa . Hong Kong.
  12. News: Stags, Kitchee expect open AFC Cup match . Fox Sports Asia . 24 April 2012 . 24 July 2015 . Mehrotra, Abhishek . 14 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131014204150/http://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/news/detail/item791629/Stags%2C-Kitchee-expect-open-AFC-Cup-match/ .
  13. Web site: Gombau to coach Adelaide United FC . Adelaide United Football Club . 30 April 2013 . 24 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131014102521/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/adelaideunited/news-display/Gombau-to-coach-Adelaide-United-FC/66320 . 14 October 2013.
  14. News: Adelaide United stars laud style new coach Josep Gombau's style, just don't call them Barcelona . news.com.au . 2 October 2013 . 24 July 2015.
  15. News: New Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau promises to bring a little bit of Barcelona to the Reds . Fox Sports Australia . 4 May 2013 . 24 July 2015 . Migliaccio, Val.
  16. News: It's my way or the highway, new Reds coach Josep Gombau tells players . Herald Sun . 7 August 2013 . 24 July 2015 . Earle, Richard.
  17. Web site: Local coaches impressed with Gombau's vision . Adelaide United Football Club . 21 January 2014 . 24 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140326060835/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/adelaideunited/news-display/Local-coaches-impressed-with-Gombaus-vision/83770 . 26 March 2014.
  18. News: Adelaide United beats Perth Glory to win FFA Cup with 1–0 victory in inaugural final . ABC Grandstand Sport . 16 December 2014 . 24 July 2015 . Maasdorp, James.
  19. News: Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau departs to begin academy in New York . The Sydney Morning Herald . 24 July 2015 . 24 July 2015 . Hassett, Sebastian.
  20. News: Josep Gombau returns to Australia as new Olyroos coach. The Guardian. 28 June 2016.
  21. News: Josep Gombau becomes Wanderers coach. FourFourTwo. 1 November 2017. 1 November 2017. 7 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171107031729/https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/josep-gombau-becomes-wanderers-coach-476605.
  22. News: Western Sydney Wanderers sack Josep Gombau. 19 April 2018. Fox Sports. 19 April 2018. en-GB.
  23. News: Josep Gombau named Delhi Dynamos head coach . 2 August 2018 . 8 November 2022 . The Indian Express .
  24. Web site: ISL club Odisha FC part ways with Josep Gombau due to coach's family obligations. Firstpost. 18 March 2020 . 18 March 2020.
  25. Web site: Scroll Staff . Indian Super League side Odisha FC rope in World Cup winner David Villa as global football advisor . 6 May 2021 . Scroll.in . 6 May 2021 . en-US.
  26. Web site: Queensboro FC Appoints Josep Gombau as Head Coach, Sporting Director . USLChampionship.com . 6 July 2020 . 6 July 2020.
  27. Web site: HE'S GONE: Gombau leaves Queensboro FC to coach in India . Front Row Soccer . Lewis . Michael . June 8, 2022 . 8 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221108112912/https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2022/06/08/hes-gone-gombau-leaves-queensboro-fc-to-coach-in-india/ . 8 November 2022 . live.
  28. Web site: Josep Gombau returns as head coach of Odisha FC on two-year deal . 8 November 2022 . khelnow.com. 8 June 2022 .
  29. Web site: 2024-05-15 . BSC: Aston Villa 9-0 Racing Club Warwick . 2024-05-21 . Aston Villa Football Club.
  30. Web site: New addition to Gombau family. 9 July 2013. Adelaide United. en. 21 March 2020.
  31. Web site: Earle. Richard. Former Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau to take charge of Australia's Olyroos. The Advertiser. News Corporation. 4 January 2017.
  32. Web site: Kitchee SC » Fixtures & Results 2009/2010 . worldfootball.net . 8 November 2022 .
  33. Web site: Kitchee SC » Fixtures & Results 2010/2011 . worldfootball.net . 8 November 2022 .
  34. Web site: Kitchee SC » Fixtures & Results 2011/2012 . worldfootball.net . 8 November 2022 .
  35. Web site: Kitchee SC » Fixtures & Results 2012/2013 . worldfootball.net . 8 November 2022 .
  36. Web site: Adelaide United » Fixtures & Results 2013/2014 . worldfootball.net . 30 April 2020 . 8 November 2022 .
  37. Web site: Adelaide United » Fixtures & Results 2014/2015 . worldfootball.net . 30 April 2020 . 8 November 2022 .
  38. Web site: Western Sydney Wanderers » Fixtures & Results 2017/2018 . worldfootball.net . April 2020 . 8 November 2022 .
  39. Web site: Odisha FC » Fixtures & Results 2018/2019 . worldfootball.net . 6 May 2021 . 8 November 2022 .
  40. Web site: Odisha FC » Fixtures & Results 2019/2020 . worldfootball.net . 6 May 2021 . 8 November 2022 .
  41. Web site: Durand Cup 2022 Results . flashscore.com . 15 December 2022 . 15 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221215070746/https://www.flashscore.in/football/india/durand-cup/results/ . live.
  42. Web site: Odisha FC » Fixtures & Results 2022/2023 . worldfootball.net . 6 May 2021 . 8 November 2022 .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Josep Gombau".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.