Former Barcelona defender set to take over club’s Under-19 team manager | OneFootball

Barcelona are undergoing a busy summer and this does not only apply to the senior team, as the management of the youth teams is also actively going through a period of change.

One such change was the departure of Oscar Lopez as the head coach of Barcelona Juvenil A or the U19 squad.

Oscar Lopez’s exit was confirmed a few weeks ago as he ended his three-year stint in the Barça U19 squad. The Catalans, however, appear to have already found an able replacement.

Juliano Belletti to become new Barça U19 coach

According to Jijantes, Juliano Belletti is all set to become the new head coach of Barça’s U19 next season.

This marks a significant promotion for Belletti, who, until now, was the assistant to Rafa Marquez at Barça Atletic.

Formerly of Chelsea and Barcelona as a player, Belletti joined the coaching ranks of Barça in 2023, joining as the assistant of Oscar Lopez in the U19 setup.

Barça U19’s new gaffer (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

But he was immediately handed a promotion, as he served as the assistant to Rafa Marquez. Now, the Brazilian is all set to replace Oscar Lopez next season.

A popular figure at Barcelona

The report suggests Belletti’s name generated consensus within the Barcelona management. The Brazilian is considered as a positive presence in the dressing room and holds excellent relationships with most players.

Belletti is also trusted by President Joan Laporta while he is very close to sporting director Deco.

At the moment, Barcelona are going through final details before they can announce Belletti as the new U19 coach. The report adds that his announcement will coincide with Barça also announcing the continuity of Rafa Marquez as the head coach of Barça Atletic.