´Welcome back home´ – Barcelona confirm appointment of Marquez as B team coach

Barcelona have announced the appointment of former player Rafael Marquez as the new head coach of their B team.

The 43-year-old won LaLiga four times and the Champions League twice during his seven years at Camp Nou during his playing days.

Barca president Joan Laporta revealed earlier this month an agreement was in place for Marquez to return in a coaching capacity, and that was officially confirmed on Thursday.

The Catalan giants tweeted “Welcome back home, Rafa” when announcing the appointment on their Twitter account.

Welcome back home, @RafaMarquezMX! https://t.co/9CittujvOo

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 14, 2022

Marquez, who appeared at five consecutive World Cups with Mexico between 2002 and 2018, follows in the steps of Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique in managing Barca B.

He will begin his new job on Friday and has agreed a contract that runs through until the end of the 2023-24 season.

Sergi Barjuan was in charge of the Blaugrana’s second side last season, but a failure to earn promotion from the third tier of Spanish football led to his departure in June.