by DAVE MARTINEZ

Remember Josep Gombau? Many New York City FC fans will.

During a difficult run in the summer of 2015, NYCFC were connected to Josep Gombau, then manager of Adelaide United in the Australian A-League. Some fingered the Spanish boss as an eventual replacement for the struggling Jason Kreis. Others believed he was a staff add-on, likely a City Football Group head sent to stabilize the flailing franchise.

In the end, Gombau proved nothing more than a rumor. However, recent reports have served to clarify just why he was connected to NYCFC in the first place.

As it turns out, Gombau is set to be the head of David Villa’s budding U.S. youth academy.

Gombau is the new technical director of Villa’s academy, signing a two year deal. Villa’s school will focus on a Spanish-style development system, with their first location opening in Puerto Rico.

“This about building academies around the USA in partnership with David Villa,” Gombau told reporters. “We have made this project together and we will be based in New York (where Villa skippers MLS side New York City), but we will be opening several academies around the country.

“We want to educate youngsters in the Spanish style… attacking, possession-based football. As director of football, my job will be to manage the expansion and bring in the coaches we will need.”

While Gombau looks charged for his new challenge, Villa expressed confidence in his first hire.

“With these academies I fulfill a dream,” Villa said. “I want to help youngsters develop and flourish. We were searching for a person who could tackle the planning and technical development and when I met Josep in Australia, when I played there, I knew he would be the right choice, if he was willing to do it.

“Because of his legacy, achievements, and capacity we are confident he is the right man.”