Jordi Roura will lead a club's youth football
According to Mundodeportivo.
Why this matters
Jordi Roura's new position in Abu Dhabi represents a significant opportunity for the development of grassroots football in the UAE. With his vast experience acquired at La Masia, Roura will be able to implement methodologies that will potentially raise the level of youth football in the country, contributing to the growth of the sport in the region.
Main conclusions
- Jordi Roura will lead a club's youth football.
- Jordi Roura begins a new stage in Abu Dhabi, where he will coordinate grassroots football at a club in the United Arab Emirates, after years of working in the formation of FC Barcelona.
- Jordi Roura will manage the base football at a club in the Arab Emirates.
Jordi Roura, 59 years old, will take on the leadership of youth football at a club in the United Arab Emirates, in a project based in Abu Dhabi. The Catalan coach, who signed for three years, returns to a base role that marked his most recent career, after several years linked to the FC Barcelona structure.
A former footballer trained at La Masia, Roura was Tito Vilanova's assistant in the 2012/13 season, the famous “League of 100 points” won by Barcelona. Later, and now outside the main team, he worked side by side with Aureli Altimira in coordinating youth football, following the evolution of a generation of talents that today shines at the Camp Nou. Among the most notable names are Lamine Yamal, Cubarsí, Gavi and Fermín, symbols of the productive capacity of the Blaugrana academy.
The new stage in the Middle East was explained by Roura himself on the program 'Temps Afegit' on 'Versió RAC1', of which he has been a weekly contributor for the last three years. "It's a project that excites me, it's a training topic. They even proposed the issue of the first team, but I don't want to know about that. The training aspect is what I like and it's a good project to try to grow and improve grassroots football in the country, and it was irrefutable", he stated. Regarding his duties, he detailed that his mission will involve “managing an entire academy and seeking, methodologically, for them to work in a certain way and for the players to grow and improve”.
Without revealing the name of the club, Roura will take to Abu Dhabi the experience accumulated at La Masia, a global reference in the training and development of young footballers. The role of academy director usually involves defining a unique methodology, aligning processes between levels, structuring talent detection and ensuring the technical, tactical and physical progression of players, always with a clear and coherent game identity.
The choice of a training project, to the detriment of invitations to lead main teams, reinforces Roura's vocation for grassroots work. His connection to Barcelona's emerging generation — which includes already internationally recognized players — gives him solid credentials to implement a demanding and consistent development model. In Abu Dhabi, the objective will be to raise standards, consolidate processes and create a competitive pipeline of young people capable of reaching professional football.
With a contract until 2027, the Spanish coach now begins a cycle that aims to be one of structuring and sustained growth, seeking to replicate principles of excellence applied for years at FC Barcelona, now in a new geographical and cultural context.
What happens next
Roura is expected to begin working immediately within the academy structure, focusing on training young talents. His methodological approach could positively influence the next generation of players, possibly shaping future stars who could one day shine in leagues like La Liga or even in the UAE national team.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Jordi Roura?
Jordi Roura will take over leadership of youth football at a club in the United Arab Emirates.
Who confirmed Jordi Roura's new role?
Jordi Roura confirmed his new role on the program ‘Temps Afegit’ on ‘Versió RAC1’.
Why did Jordi Roura decide to accept this project now?
Roura stated that it is a training project that excites him and that it is a good opportunity to improve grassroots football in the country.
What changes will Roura implement at the academy?
Roura will direct the entire academy, defining a unique methodology and aligning processes across levels.
What is Jordi Roura's previous experience in grassroots football?
Roura worked in the coordination of youth football at FC Barcelona, following
ning the evolution of talents such as Lamine Yamal, Cubarsí, Gavi and Fermín.