Josep Gombau
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Josep Gombau Balague | ||
Date of birth | 5 June 1976 | ||
Place of birth | Amposta, Spain | ||
Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Odisha (head coach) | ||
Youth career | |||
Years | Team | ||
1982–1992 | Amposta | ||
Managerial career | |||
1993–1999 | Amposta | ||
1999–2003 | Espanyol (youth) | ||
2003–2009 | Barcelona (youth) | ||
2009–2013 | Kitchee | ||
2013–2015 | Adelaide United | ||
2016–2017 | Australia U-23 | ||
2016–2017 | Australia (assistant) | ||
2017–2018 | Western Sydney Wanderers | ||
2018–2020 | Delhi Dynamos / Odisha | ||
2020–2022 | Queensboro | ||
2022– | Odisha |
Josep Gombau Balague (born 5 June 1976) is a Spanish professional football manager who is the current head coach of Indian Super League club Odisha.
He is a former Barcelona youth team coach and has held multiple positions at the club's youth academy.[1]
Career
Born in Amposta, Tarragona, Catalonia, Gombau was a goalkeeper, but switched to coaching at the age of 16.[2][3] After coaching youth teams in CF Amposta and RCD Espanyol, he was signed by FC Barcelona in 2003 as a youth academy coach.[4][5] [6] In 2008, he became the technical director of FCB Escola, a Barcelona youth football academy opened at the Raffles International School in Jumeirah, Dubai.[7][8]
Kitchee
Gombau moved to Hong Kong to join Kitchee as the club's head coach in 2009.[9] Under Gombau, Kitchee won two league titles, two FA Cups, and one League Cup.[10] 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".[11]
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.[12] 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.[13] Gombau stated that he wants to implement a possession-based football style at Adelaide.[14][15] Gombau actively exercised his ambition to develop South Australian grassroots football by hosting free seminars for local coaches.[16] Gombau's United won the inaugural FFA Cup by defeating Perth Glory 1–0.[17] Gombau left the club in July 2015 to take up a youth coaching role in the United States.[18]
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.[19]
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.[20] 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.[21]
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.[22] 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 due to personal reasons.[23]
On 6 May 2021, he was announced as a member of the club's technical committee along with David Villa and Victor Oñate.[24]
Queensboro FC
In July 2020, Gombau was announced as the first-ever head coach and sporting director for David Villa's USL Championship club Queensboro FC.[25] He left his positions at the club in June 2022, before their scheduled USL Championship debut in 2023.[26]
Return to Odisha
On 8 June 2022, Gombau rejoined Odisha FC as the head coach on a two-year deal.[27]
Personal life
Gombau and his wife Romina[28] have two daughters, Bruna and Maria.[29]
Managerial statistics
- As of Match played 24 November 2022
Team | Nat | From | To | Record | Ref | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | |||||
Kitchee | 1 August 2009 | 30 April 2013 | 93 | 57 | 18 | 18 | 212 | 106 | +106 | 61.29 | [30][31][32][33] | |
Adelaide United | 1 July 2013 | 23 July 2015 | 62 | 30 | 12 | 20 | 105 | 61 | +44 | 48.39 | [34][35] | |
Western Sydney Wanderers | 1 November 2017 | 19 April 2018 | 22 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 30 | 34 | −4 | 31.82 | [36] | |
Delhi Dynamos / Odisha | 2 August 2018 | 18 March 2020 | 37 | 11 | 10 | 16 | 54 | 62 | −8 | 29.73 | [37][38] | |
Queensboro | 6 July 2020 | 7 June 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | — | [26] | |
Odisha | 8 June 2022 | Present | 12 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 26 | 11 | +15 | 75.00 | [39][40] | |
Total | 226 | 114 | 45 | 67 | 427 | 274 | +153 | 50.44 |
Honours
Kitchee SC
- Hong Kong First Division League: 2010–11, 2011–12
- Hong Kong FA Cup: 2011–12, 2012–13
- Hong Kong League Cup: 2011–12
Adelaide United
Individual
- Hong Kong First Division League Best coach: 2010–11, 2011–12
References
- ^ Kin Cheung (27 May 2011). 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. Eurosport.com (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)
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ignored (help) - ^ Kemp, Emma (9 October 2013). "Josep Gombau's tiki-taka touch wins Adelaide United over". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ Gombau, Josep (13 August 2013). "Gombau chats to TWG". The World Game (Interview). Interviewed by Vitor Sobral. Archived from the original on 24 July 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ Blanco, Jordi (24 October 2013). "Tiqui-taca en Australia". am14.net (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ Migliaccio, Val (18 July 2013). "Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau vows to scout for SA's best talent". The Advertiser. Adelaide. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ Gombau, Josep (4 November 2017). "In the presence of Cruyff". PlayersVoice. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
- ^ Alvares, Rohan (5 February 2009). "A touch of Barcelona magic in Dubai". Gulf News. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ Brooks, Rob (7 May 2013). "Gombau bringing Barca Down Under". ESPN FC. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ 巴塞名帥來港發展 Oriental Daily. 21 April 2009.
- ^ Chan Kin-wa (27 May 2013). "Play-off win perfect gift for departing Gombau". South China Morning Post. Hong Kong.
- ^ Mehrotra, Abhishek (24 April 2012). "Stags, Kitchee expect open AFC Cup match". Fox Sports Asia. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ "Gombau to coach Adelaide United FC". Adelaide United Football Club. 30 April 2013. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ "Adelaide United stars laud style new coach Josep Gombau's style, just don't call them Barcelona". news.com.au. 2 October 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ Migliaccio, Val (4 May 2013). "New Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau promises to bring a little bit of Barcelona to the Reds". Fox Sports Australia. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ Earle, Richard (7 August 2013). "It's my way or the highway, new Reds coach Josep Gombau tells players". Herald Sun. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ "Local coaches impressed with Gombau's vision". Adelaide United Football Club. 21 January 2014. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ Maasdorp, James (16 December 2014). "Adelaide United beats Perth Glory to win FFA Cup with 1–0 victory in inaugural final". ABC Grandstand Sport. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ Hassett, Sebastian (24 July 2015). "Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau departs to begin academy in New York". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ "Josep Gombau returns to Australia as new Olyroos coach". The Guardian. 28 June 2016.
- ^ "Josep Gombau becomes Wanderers coach". FourFourTwo. 1 November 2017.
- ^ "Western Sydney Wanderers sack Josep Gombau". Fox Sports. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ "Josep Gombau named Delhi Dynamos head coach". The Indian Express. 2 August 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
- ^ "ISL club Odisha FC part ways with Josep Gombau due to coach's family obligations". Firstpost. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
- ^ Scroll Staff. "Indian Super League side Odisha FC rope in World Cup winner David Villa as global football advisor". Scroll.in. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "Queensboro FC Appoints Josep Gombau as Head Coach, Sporting Director". USLChampionship.com. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
- ^ a b Lewis, Michael (8 June 2022). "HE'S GONE: Gombau leaves Queensboro FC to coach in India". Front Row Soccer. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
- ^ "Josep Gombau returns as head coach of Odisha FC on two-year deal". khelnow.com. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
- ^ "New addition to Gombau family". Adelaide United. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
- ^ Earle, Richard. "Former Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau to take charge of Australia's Olyroos". The Advertiser. News Corporation. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "Kitchee SC » Fixtures & Results 2009/2010". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
- ^ "Kitchee SC » Fixtures & Results 2010/2011". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
- ^ "Kitchee SC » Fixtures & Results 2011/2012". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
- ^ "Kitchee SC » Fixtures & Results 2012/2013". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
- ^ "Adelaide United » Fixtures & Results 2013/2014". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
- ^ "Adelaide United » Fixtures & Results 2014/2015". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
- ^ "Western Sydney Wanderers » Fixtures & Results 2017/2018". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
- ^ "Odisha FC » Fixtures & Results 2018/2019". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
- ^ "Odisha FC » Fixtures & Results 2019/2020". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
- ^ "Odisha result". flashscore.in. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
- ^ "Odisha FC » Fixtures & Results 2022/2023". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
External links
- Josep Gombau coach profile at Soccerway
- 1976 births
- Kitchee SC
- Living people
- Spanish football managers
- A-League Men managers
- Kitchee SC managers
- Adelaide United FC managers
- Western Sydney Wanderers FC managers
- FC Barcelona non-playing staff
- People from Montsià
- Sportspeople from the Province of Tarragona
- Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Hong Kong
- Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Australia
- Expatriate soccer managers in Australia
- Spanish expatriate sportspeople in India
- Expatriate football managers in India
- Expatriate football managers in Hong Kong
- Spanish expatriate football managers
- Indian Super League head coaches
- Odisha FC head coaches
- RCD Espanyol non-playing staff