BARCELONA are to appoint the Argentine Gerardo Martino on a three-year deal to replace Tito Vilanova as coach. The 50-year-old led Newell's Old Boys to the Argentinian title last season but recently severed ties with the club.
Vilanova has stepped down to continues his battle with cancer. The 44-year-old, who led Barca to the Primera Liga title in his only season in charge after replacing Pep Guardiola last summer, had a tumour removed from his throat in late 2011, but suffered a relapse a year after. He underwent another operation on his parotid gland in December before beginning a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in New York.
Contracts are still to be formalised, and Martino is not expected in Barcelona until tomorrow. Martino had rejected overtures from Real Sociedad and Malaga because Newell's were still competing in the Copa Libertadores but he became available after they lost in the semi-finals.
The door to the Camp Nou opened for Martino when Luis Enrique, considered favourite for the Barca post, committed his future to Celta Vigo, and Ernesto Valverde, another in the frame, agreed to take over at Athletic Bilbao.
Martino is a hugely popular figure in his native land and comes from Rosario, also the birthplace of Barca talisman Lionel Messi. Both men are known to hold each other in high regard which could have been a significant factor in Martino's appointment.
His arrival breaks with a recent Barcelona commitment to promote from within but he is considered to have exceptional man-magement skills and his style of play is expected to offer a degree continuity at the club. He likes his teams to pressure high up the pitch and play attacking football, based on dominating possession.
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