Josep Gombau

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Gombauand the second or maternal family name is Balague.

Josep Gombau

Gombau in 2012
Personal information
Full name	Josep Gombau Balague
Date of birth	(1976-06-05) 5 June 1976 (age 48)
Place of birth	Amposta, Spain
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
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 U23
2016–2017	Australia (assistant)
2017–2018	Western Sydney Wanderers
2018–2020	Delhi Dynamos
2020–2022	Queensboro
2022–2023	Odisha
2023	Persebaya Surabaya
2024–	Aston Villa U21s

Josep Gombau Balague (born 5 June 1976) is a Spanish professional football manager. He is the current Head Coach of the Aston Villa U21s. ^[1]

He is a former Barcelona youth team coach and has held multiple positions at the club's youth academy. ^[2]

Career

Born in Amposta, Tarragona, Catalonia, Gombau was a goalkeeper, but switched to coaching at the age of 16. ^{[3] [4]} After coaching youth teams in Amposta and Espanyol, he was signed by Barcelona in 2003 as a youth academy coach. ^{[5] [6] [7]} In 2008, he became the technical director of FCB Escola, a Barcelona youth football academy opened at the Raffles International School in Jumeirah, Dubai. ^{[8] [9]}

Kitchee

Gombau moved to Hong Kong to join Kitchee as the club's head coach in 2009. ^[10] Under Gombau, Kitchee won two league titles, two FA Cups, and one League Cup. ^[11] 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". ^[12]

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. ^[13] 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. ^[14] Gombau stated that he wants to implement a possession-based football style at Adelaide. ^{[15] [16]} Gombau actively exercised his ambition to develop South Australian grassroots football by hosting free seminars for local coaches. ^[17] Gombau's United won the inaugural FFA Cup by defeating Perth Glory 1–0. ^[18] Gombau left the club in July 2015 to take up a youth coaching role in the United States. ^[19]

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. ^[20]

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. ^[21] 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. ^[22]

Delhi Dynamos / Odisha

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. ^[23] 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 for personal reasons. ^[24]

On 6 May 2021, he was announced as a member of the club's technical committee along with David Villa and Victor Oñate. ^[25]

Queensboro

In July 2020, Gombau was announced as the first-ever head coach and sporting director for David Villa's planned USL Championship club Queensboro. ^[26] After the club's scheduled start date was pushed back twice, and with its future in doubt, he left his positions in June 2022. ^[27] The organization folded shortly thereafter.

Return to Odisha

On 8 June 2022, Gombau rejoined Odisha as the head coach on a two-year deal. ^[28]

Persebaya Surabaya

On 14 September 2023, Gombau was appointed as Persebaya Surabaya new head coach. However, he was later sacked a month later on 28 October 2023, after only managed for six matches, with only one win.

Aston Villa U21

On 11 January 2024, Gombau was appointed Head Coach of Aston Villa Under-21s. ^[1] On 15 May 2024, Gombau lead Aston Villa U21 to their first Birmingham Senior Cup win since 1985. ^[29]

Personal life

Gombau and his wife Romina ^[30] have two daughters, Bruna and Maria. ^[31]

Managerial statistics

As of 28 October 2023

Managerial record by team and tenure

Team	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	061.29	[32] [33] [34] [35]
Adelaide United	1 July 2013	23 July 2015	62	30	12	20	105	61	+44	048.39	[36] [37]
Western Sydney Wanderers	1 November 2017	19 April 2018	22	7	5	10	30	34	−4	031.82	[38]
Odisha	2 August 2018	18 March 2020	37	11	10	16	54	62	−8	029.73	[39] [40]
Queensboro	6 July 2020	7 June 2022	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0	!—	[27]
Odisha	8 June 2022	11 March 2023	26	13	3	10	43	35	+8	050.00	[41] [42]
Persebaya Surabaya	14 September 2023	28 October 2023	6	1	1	4	7	15	−8	016.67
Total			246	119	49	78	451	313	+138	048.37

Honours

Kitchee

• 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

• FFA Cup: 2014

Aston Villa U21

• Birmingham Senior Cup: 2023–24

Individual

• Hong Kong First Division League Best coach: 2010–11, 2011–12

References

1. "Aston Villa appoint Josep Gombau as Under-21 Head Coach". Aston Villa Football Club. 11 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
2. "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 (Photograph). Hong Kong. Associated Press. 27 May 2011. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. 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){{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |people= ignored (help)
3. Kemp, Emma (9 October 2013). "Josep Gombau's tiki-taka touch wins Adelaide United over". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
4. 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.
5. Blanco, Jordi (24 October 2013). "Tiqui-taca en Australia". am14.net (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 July 2015.
6. 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.
7. Gombau, Josep (4 November 2017). "In the presence of Cruyff". PlayersVoice. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
8. Alvares, Rohan (5 February 2009). "A touch of Barcelona magic in Dubai". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 21 July 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
9. Brooks, Rob (7 May 2013). "Gombau bringing Barca Down Under". ESPN FC. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
10. 巴塞名帥來港發展 Oriental Daily. 21 April 2009.
11. Chan Kin-wa (27 May 2013). "Play-off win perfect gift for departing Gombau". South China Morning Post. Hong Kong.
12. 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.
13. "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.
14. "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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. "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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. "Josep Gombau returns to Australia as new Olyroos coach". The Guardian . 28 June 2016.
21. "Josep Gombau becomes Wanderers coach". FourFourTwo . 1 November 2017. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
22. "Western Sydney Wanderers sack Josep Gombau". Fox Sports. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
23. "Josep Gombau named Delhi Dynamos head coach". The Indian Express. 2 August 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
24. "ISL club Odisha FC part ways with Josep Gombau due to coach's family obligations". Firstpost. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
25. Scroll Staff (6 May 2021). "Indian Super League side Odisha FC rope in World Cup winner David Villa as global football advisor". Scroll.in. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
26. "Queensboro FC Appoints Josep Gombau as Head Coach, Sporting Director". USLChampionship.com. 6 July 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
27. 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.
28. "Josep Gombau returns as head coach of Odisha FC on two-year deal". khelnow.com. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
29. "BSC: Aston Villa 9-0 Racing Club Warwick". Aston Villa Football Club. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
30. "New addition to Gombau family". Adelaide United. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
31. Earle, Richard. "Former Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau to take charge of Australia's Olyroos". The Advertiser. News Corporation. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
32. "Kitchee SC » Fixtures & Results 2009/2010". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
33. "Kitchee SC » Fixtures & Results 2010/2011". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
34. "Kitchee SC » Fixtures & Results 2011/2012". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
35. "Kitchee SC » Fixtures & Results 2012/2013". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
36. "Adelaide United » Fixtures & Results 2013/2014". worldfootball.net. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
37. "Adelaide United » Fixtures & Results 2014/2015". worldfootball.net. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
38. "Western Sydney Wanderers » Fixtures & Results 2017/2018". worldfootball.net. April 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
39. "Odisha FC » Fixtures & Results 2018/2019". worldfootball.net. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
40. "Odisha FC » Fixtures & Results 2019/2020". worldfootball.net. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
41. "Durand Cup 2022 Results". flashscore.com. Archived from the original on 15 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
42. "Odisha FC » Fixtures & Results 2022/2023". worldfootball.net. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2022.

External links

• Josep Gombau coach profile at Soccerway