ISL: After Manuel Marquez, Hyderabad FC sign experienced fitness coach

After roping in a new head coach, Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Hyderabad FC have signed experienced Spaniard Jose Carlos Barrosso as their fitness coach ahead of the new season, The Bridge can confirm. He is expected to work with newly-appointed head coach Manuel Manolo Marquez Roca as the club hopes to achieve its objective of making it to the playoffs at least this season.

Barrosso comes in with a bag of knowledge and experience having worked with football clubs since 2008 as head coach as well as fitness coach. The 33-year-old has formerly worked in the ISL at Jamshedpur FC in the 2018-19 season when Cesar Ferrando was the head coach. Last season, he was with NorthEast United FC working with Robert Jarni. Interestingly, he also has three Masters degrees in Nutrition for Sports, Teacher Training and Performance Analysis.

After a disappointing debut season, for a while it seemed that Hyderabad would bounce back under Albert Roca. However, they were dealt a blow when the former Bengaluru FC coach asked to leave for FC Barcelona. The management faced a difficult task, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, to find a quick solution with the season fast approaching. They seem to have pulled it off, though with the appointment of Manolo, as was announced by the club on Monday and will follow it up with Barrosso’s appointment.

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Roca, who has been officially named as the fitness coach under Ronald Koeman at Barcelona, is said to be helping Hyderabad with the transition. The club has already announced the signing of Joao Victor. A-League winger Joel Chianese and another Spaniard with roots in Barcelona are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

With the coronavirus pandemic, the upcoming ISL season will undergo a lot of changes. The entire tournament will be held in Goa across three stadiums and each team will have its own practice grounds. Each team will also have to follow strict health protocols and certainly, the fitness coach of each team will have a lot to monitor. Barrosso will have his task cut out at Hyderabad.