Roca’s Assistant Steps Down, Will Be Replaced With Barcelona-Native Marc Huguet

Bengaluru: Indian Super League side Bengaluru Football Club have announced that they have parted ways with Assistant Coach Carles Cuadrat by mutual consent after the Spaniard conveyed his decision to step down from the post owing to health concerns. The announcement marks the end of Head Coach Albert Roca’s long-standing association with Cuadrat, having coached together at various clubs and national teams before arriving in India.

Cuadrat, who gained a reputation of being a master at set-pieces, was flown back for treatment after landing in Pune for an away game with a condition in his knee. Having been away from the field during the Blues’ last two home games, the Spaniard had been using the internet to send Roca plans in the build-up to games.

Speaking about his decision to step down, Cuadrat said, “We landed in Pune for an away game and I had to fly back the same day for a surgery. I will now have to spend the next two months in recovery. I sat with the club management and we decided that it is best I take a step aside given how packed the fixture calendar is. I won’t be able to give the team and myself one hundred percent. We are a professional team and need all hands on the deck at all times, which is why I have taken this decision.”

Club COO Mustafa Ghouse said, “We will definitely miss the presence of Carles at the club, but we understand his situation and wish him a speedy recovery. He has been a vital cog in the club’s success and will always have a special place at the club. We would like to thank him for all he has done for Bengaluru FC and he’s always welcome here.”

The Blues have now appointed Barcelona-native Marc Huguet as the new Assistant Coach, who like Roca and Cuadrat, has also served as a Coach in the FC Barcelona youth setup. Huguet, who recently served as an Assistant Coach with FC Dinamo Tbilisi in Georgian 1st Division, Cordoba CF in La Liga and RCD Mallorca in Segunda Division, will join the Blues in the first week of January.