Sergi Barjuán Esclusa (born 28 December 1971), known simply as Sergi as a player, is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a left-back, currently a manager.

Sergi Barjuán
Barjuán in 2009
Personal information
Full name Sergi Barjuán Esclusa[1]
Date of birth (1971-12-28) 28 December 1971 (age 52)[1]
Place of birth Les Franqueses, Spain
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)[1]
Position(s) Left-back
Youth career
1978–1988 Granollers
1988–1990 Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1990–1992 Barcelona C
1992–1993 Barcelona B 42 (4)
1993–2002 Barcelona 267 (6)
2002–2005 Atlético Madrid 85 (0)
Total 394 (10)
International career
1990 Spain U18 1 (0)
1993–1994 Spain U21 5 (0)
1994–2002 Spain 56 (1)
1998–2004 Catalonia 4 (0)
Managerial career
2009–2011 Barcelona (youth)
2012–2014 Recreativo
2015 Almería
2017 Mallorca
2017–2019 Zhejiang Greentown
2021–2022 Barcelona B
2021 Barcelona (interim)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Spain
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Bronze medal – third place 1994 France
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Best known for his Barcelona stint, he played for the first team for nine seasons and made a major contribution to the winning of nine major titles. Having reached the Spain national team shortly after making his professional club debut, he appeared in two World Cups and as many European Championships.

In 2009, Barjuán embarked on a managerial career, leading Recreativo, Almería and Mallorca. He also had brief La Liga spells at the second of those clubs, and in interim charge of Barcelona.

Playing career

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Club

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Born in Les Franqueses del Vallès, Barcelona, Catalonia, Sergi was a youth product of giants FC Barcelona.[2] He had not yet appeared in La Liga when he was summoned by first-team manager Johan Cruyff to a UEFA Champions League group stage game away against Galatasaray S.K. (0–0, on 24 November 1993),[3] and from then on became the side's undisputed first choice, never playing less than 31 matches until 1999; with Barça he won three leagues, two cups and two supercups, adding the 1997 edition of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and the subsequent UEFA Super Cup, partnered in the other defensive wing by another youth graduate, Albert Ferrer.[4][5]

After being deemed surplus to requirements by coach Louis van Gaal, Sergi joined Atlético Madrid,[6] where he still posted three respectable seasons although he collected a total of 33 yellow cards.

International

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Shortly after having been promoted into Barcelona's main squad, Sergi made his debut for Spain on 9 February 1994, in a friendly with Poland in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in which he scored his only international goal.[7] He went on to represent the nation at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 1996, the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, for a total of 56 caps.[8]

Coaching career

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Barcelona (youth)

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In July 2009, after several years working in marketing and running football camps for youngsters, Barjuán returned to Barcelona, being named its Juvenil B manager.[9] During his spell he coached Gerard Deulofeu, Patric and Rafinha, whom eventually starred for the senior team.[10]

Recreativo

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Barjuán was handed his first job in the professionals on 22 May 2012, signing for three years with Recreativo de Huelva in the Segunda División.[11] On his debut on 18 August, he lost 2–0 at Xerez CD.[12]

In his second year at El Decano, Barjuán missed out on a play-off place on the final day. He then cancelled his contract in June 2014 and was replaced by José Luis Oltra.[13][14]

Almería

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Barjuán was appointed manager of UD Almería on 6 April 2015, taking over from Juan Ignacio Martínez who had been fired.[15] His first game in charge occurred two days later, a 4–0 away loss to former club Barcelona.[16]

On 3 October 2015, with the Andalusians back in the second tier, Barjuán was dismissed after a 2–2 home draw against CD Tenerife.[17]

Mallorca

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Barjuán resumed his career in April 2017, at RCD Mallorca.[18] He left when his contract expired at the end of the season, with the Balearic side relegated to Segunda División B for the first time in 36 years.[19]

Zhejiang Greentown

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On 26 November 2017, the 45-year-old Barjuán moved abroad for the first time in his career, taking the helm at China League One club Zhejiang Greentown F.C. for the next two seasons.[20] He lost his job on 4 July 2019 after a run of two wins from ten left the team in sixth place.[21]

Barcelona B

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In June 2021, Barjuán was appointed at FC Barcelona Atlètic on a two-year deal, replacing Francisco Javier García Pimienta.[22] On 28 October, after the dismissal of Ronald Koeman, he was put in interim charge of the main squad.[23] Two days later, on his debut, he oversaw a 1–1 home draw with Deportivo Alavés.[24] In his second game, he won 1–0 at FC Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League group stage.[25]

After missing out on a playoff place for the 2021–22 season, Barjuán was dismissed.[26] He remained at Barcelona and was put in charge of their global academies in October.[27]

Career statistics

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Club

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Source:[28][29]
Club Season League National Cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Barcelona 1993–94 La Liga 23 0 4 1 8 0 35 1
1994–95 34 1 3 0 8 0 45 1
1995–96 40 0 6 0 7 2 53 2
1996–97 34 1 8 0 7 0 49 1
1997–98 31 2 8 1 8 0 47 3
1998–99 35 0 5 1 5 0 45 1
1999–2000 19 1 6 0 6 0 31 1
2000–01 33 1 6 0 13 0 52 1
2001–02 18 0 0 0 7 0 25 0
Total 267 6 46 3 69 2 382 11
Atlético Madrid 2002–03 La Liga 26 0 4 0 30 0
2003–04 32 0 5 0 37 0
2004–05 27 0 1 0 3 0 31 0
Total 85 0 10 0 3 0 98 0
Career total 352 6 56 3 72 2 480 11

International

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Source:[30]
Spain
Year Apps Goals
1994 11 1
1995 6 0
1996 9 0
1997 4 0
1998 9 0
1999 5 0
2000 7 0
2001 4 0
2002 1 0
Total 56 1
Sergi: International goal
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 9 February 1994 Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain   Poland 1–0 1–1 Friendly[7]

Managerial statistics

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As of 9 April 2022[31]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record Ref
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
Recreativo   22 May 2012 30 June 2014 89 34 22 33 104 118 −14 038.20 [32]
Almería   6 April 2015 3 October 2015 17 5 2 10 24 35 −11 029.41 [33]
Mallorca   4 April 2017 12 June 2017 10 3 5 2 12 11 +1 030.00 [34]
Hangzhou Greentown   26 November 2017 3 July 2019 48 21 15 12 82 62 +20 043.75
Barcelona B   17 June 2021 28 June 2022 36 14 9 13 54 49 +5 038.89 [35]
Barcelona (interim)   28 October 2021 6 November 2021 3 1 2 0 5 4 +1 033.33 [36]
Total 197 73 56 68 253 269 −16 037.06

Honours

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Barcelona

Spain U21

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "SERGI Barjuán Esclusa". El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  2. ^ "El último hombre de Cruyff" [Cruyff's last man]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 27 May 2002. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  3. ^ Sanchis, Alberto (25 November 1993). "Un punto muy importante que les supo a poco" [Very important point that left a bad taste in mouth] (PDF). Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  4. ^ "El 'Dream Team' de Cruyff" [Cruyff's Dream Team]. La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 1 November 2006. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  5. ^ Blanco, Jordi (7 April 2015). "Sergi, el reto que nace en Barcelona" [Sergi, challenge born in Barcelona] (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  6. ^ Torelló, Roger (16 July 2002). "Presentación con ilusión" [Hungry presentation] (PDF). Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  7. ^ a b Ortiz, Fabián (10 February 1994). "España empata, pero gusta" [Spain draw, but are appreciated]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  8. ^ Tylko, Ignacio (28 October 2021). "Sergi Barjuan, mejor defensa que entrenador" [Sergi Barjuan, better defender than manager]. El Correo (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Sergi Barjuán, nuevo técnico del Juvenil "B" del Barcelona" [Sergi Barjuán, new Barcelona Juvenil "B" coach]. ABC (in Spanish). 3 July 2009. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  10. ^ "Sergi Barjuan se enfrentará a ocho de sus pupilos en la cantera del Barça" [Sergi Barjuan will face eight of his pupils from the Barça youth system]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 24 October 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  11. ^ "Sergi Barjuán, confirmado como nuevo entrenador del Recreativo" [Sergi Barjuán, confirmed as new Recreativo manager]. Sport (in Spanish). 22 May 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  12. ^ ""La derrota, injusta; han hecho dos goles casi sin tirar a puerta"" ["Defeat was unfair; they got two goals almost without a shot on target"]. Diario de Jerez (in Spanish). 19 August 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  13. ^ "José Luis Oltra, nuevo entrenador del Recreativo de Huelva" [José Luis Oltra, new manager of Recreativo de Huelva] (in Spanish). Europa Press. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  14. ^ Cabrera, Paco (30 June 2014). "Paco Herrera se suma a la lista" [Paco Herrera adds himself to the list]. La Provincia (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  15. ^ "Sergi Barjuan es el nuevo entrenador del Almería por lo que resta de temporada" [Sergi Barjuan is the new manager of Almería for the remainder of the season] (in Spanish). UD Almería. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  16. ^ "El líder cumple con su parte" [Leaders do their part]. Marca (in Spanish). 8 April 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  17. ^ "El Almería destituye a Sergi Barjuan como entrenador del primer equipo" [Almería dismiss Sergi Barjuan as first-team manager] (in Spanish). UD Almería. 3 October 2015. Archived from the original on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  18. ^ Payarols, Lluís (4 April 2017). "Sergi Barjuán, nuevo entrenador del Mallorca" [Sergi Barjuán, new manager of Mallorca]. Sport (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  19. ^ "Sergi Barjuan deja el cargo de entrenador del Mallorca" [Sergi Barjuan leaves position as Mallorca manager]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 12 June 2017. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  20. ^ "Sergi Barjuan, nuevo entrenador del Hangzhou Greentown chino" [Sergi Barjuan, new manager of China's Hangzhou Greentown]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 26 November 2017. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  21. ^ Trullols, Joan (4 July 2019). "Sergi Barjuán, cesado como entrenador del Zhejiang Greentown" [Sergi Barjuán, fired as manager of Zhejiang Greentown]. Sport (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  22. ^ "Sergi Barjuan is the new Barça B coach". FC Barcelona. 17 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  23. ^ "Sergi Barjuan, caretaker coach of FC Barcelona". FC Barcelona. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  24. ^ Sharma, Rik (30 October 2021). "Barcelona 1–1 Alaves: Memphis ends drought but Rioja has last laugh". Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  25. ^ Bell, Arch (2 November 2021). "Ansu Fati fires Barcelona past Dynamo Kyiv". Marca. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  26. ^ "Sergi Barjuan deja de ser el técnico del Barça Atlètic y Rafa Márquez podría sustituirlo" [Sergi Barjuán no longer manager of Barça Atlètic and Rafa Márquez could replace him]. El Nacional (in Spanish). 28 June 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  27. ^ Torelló, Roger (1 October 2022). "Sergi Barjuan, nuevo director deportivo de las Barça Academy" [Sergi Barjuán, new sporting director of the Barça academies]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  28. ^ Sergi Barjuán at BDFutbol
  29. ^ "Sergi". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  30. ^ "Sergi". European Football. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  31. ^ Sergi Barjuán coach profile at Soccerway
  32. ^ "Sergi: Sergi Barjuán Esclusa". BDFutbol. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
    "Sergi: Sergi Barjuán Esclusa". BDFutbol. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  33. ^ "Sergi: Sergi Barjuán Esclusa". BDFutbol. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
    "Sergi: Sergi Barjuán Esclusa". BDFutbol. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  34. ^ "Sergi: Sergi Barjuán Esclusa". BDFutbol. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  35. ^ "Sergi: Sergi Barjuán Esclusa". BDFutbol. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  36. ^ "Sergi: Sergi Barjuán Esclusa". BDFutbol. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  37. ^ Aguilar, Francesc (16 April 1994). "España pierde la inocencia" [Spain lose innocence]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 November 2021.
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