By David Lee Wheatley
Despite lacking European coaching experience, Barcelona handed Gerardo "Tata" Martino the keys to the kingdom on a two-year contract as replacement for outgoing head coach Tito Vilanova.
The Argentine seemed a dark horse amongst a host of more familiar names for the post, but impressed sufficiently to claim the job ahead of many illustrious candidates.
Martino has done it all, though, in his native South America, as coach of several clubs in Argentina and Paraguay, plus the Paraguayan national side.
Following roles with a trio of small clubs in his homeland, the former Newell's and Tenerife midfielder moved on to coach Libertad to two consecutive league titles in Paraguay, before taking over at Cerro Porteño and clinching the title for them, too.
A short stint back in Argentina with Colon ended when the Paraguay national team came calling for Martino's services. He led his adoptive nation to the World Cup quarter-finals in 2010 and the Copa Libertodores final a year later, marginally losing out to Uruguay for the trophy.
Switching to former club Newell's, where he enjoyed three spells as a player, allowed Martino the opportunity to win the Argentine Clausara championship. His stylish brand of football, usually set out in an attacking 4-3-3 formation, again paying dividends.
It's that absolute belief in 'Total Football' that brought him to Barcelona's attention in the first instance. A disciple of the coaching methods of such luminaries as Johan Cruyff and Marcelo Bielsa, Martino prefers a high-intensity pressing game when out of possession and a fluid one-two touch passing style when his team have the ball, much like former Barça coach Josep Guardiola.
Martino's tactical plan fits perfectly into the Barcelona way of thinking and, allied to many successes in South America, the Rosario-born coach seemed the right man to take on the task of keeping Barça at the top in La Liga, while restoring their pride in the Champions League after taking a hefty battering from eventual winners Bayern Munich in last season's semi-final.
He may not be a particularly well-known figure on the European continent, but remains a household name in South America due mainly to his exploits in Paraguay and with Newell's Old Boys as a player and coach. Hailing from the same area as Barcelona star Lionel Messi and coaching hero Bielsa, the 50-year-old is sure to be a popular appointment with most in the dressing room.
Harbouring ambitions to make a big name for himself in Europe, should he achieve anywhere near the level of success presided over by Pep Guardiola, then his mission will be complete.
At the very least, the exquisite 'tiki-taka' preached by his recent predecessor is certain to be kept alive at Camp Nou for some time to come.
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