Gerardo Martino

Gerardo Martino played professionally from 1980 to 1996, mainly as an attacking midfielder. In his hometown of Rosario, he is most closely linked to Newell's Old Boys, where he is renowned for having made the most official appearances in the club's history with 505 games. He played a significant role in winning three Argentine Primera América titles in the 1987–88, 1990–91, and 1992 Clausura seasons during his several stints with Newell's 1980–1990, 1991–1994, and 1995 seasons. His influence was so great that he was subsequently named the greatest player in the club's history in a fan vote. On 15 February 1981, Martino debuted with the Argentina national youth football team in a 3–0 friendly victory against Chile. Ten years later, on 19 February 1991, he received his first call-up by new coach Alfio Basile to the senior squad for a friendly match against Hungary national football team. Martino came on in the second half as Argentina won 2–0 on home soil. Martino briefly played European football outside of Argentina when he moved to Spain in 1991 to play for CD Tenerife, where he made 15 appearances and scored one goal. Between 1994 and 1995, he also played domestically for Lanús, making 30 appearances and scoring three goals. Before formally retiring from professional play in 1996, he played for O'Higgins in Chile and Barcelona SC in Ecuador as his career came to an end. Martino represented Argentina at several levels on the international scene. He participated in the 1981…

Paraguay national team

Martino was assigned as head coach of the Paraguay national football team in February 2007, replacing Uruguayan Anibal "Maño" Ruiz. His knowledge and success while coaching Paraguayan clubs were the parameters that positioned him as the best option for the job (other candidates were Nery Pumpido and Miguel Ángel Russo). Previously, Martino had won the Paraguayan league four times from 2002 to 2006. In 2008, Martino was linked for vacant managerial position of Iran Pro League side Steel Azin, but the deal was cancelled for personal reasons. On 5 July 2010, Martino announced that he would be stepping down as Paraguay coach on their return from the 2010 FIFA World Cup, in which he led Paraguay to quarter-finals. Martino confirmed that with his four-year contract expiring, he would not be extending his spell in charge of the national side. However, on 10 July 2010, Martino agreed to stay on as Paraguay coach until after the 2011 Copa America, in which Paraguay were runners-up after losing to Uruguay in the final.

Newell's Old Boys

After Hernán Darío Gómez's departure from the Colombia national team, Martino received a proposition to coach the team but turned it down, opting instead to coach Newell's Old Boys, one of his former clubs as a player, and a club which at the time was dangerously close to relegation to the Primera B Nacional, the second tier of Argentine football. However, a series of impressive results under Martino secured…

Gerardo Martino prefers to play a very high-pressing and attacking style of football. At Barcelona, Martino continued the club's preferred style of play tiki-taka along with his own tactics. All of Martino's teams have the same distinguishable traits: they play attack-minded football, they are creative, and the style is based on quick passing. In addition, Martino's teams also pressure high up the pitch, play out from the back and depend on their youth systems.

Martino is of Italian descent with grandparents from Ripacandida, Basilicata.