07.07.2010 12:58

Mallorca and the Barça connection

Marc Guillén

The influence of FC Barcelona is spreading far and wide. Next season, Mallorca will be led by three men with a Barça past: Serra Ferrer, owner of the club; Michael Laudrup, manager; and Miquel Angel Nadal, his assistant.

Pep Guardiola has been joined at FC Barcelona by two former Barça players; Zubizarreta and Amor. But across the water in Mallorca, three more faces well-known to Barça fans will be responsible for the first division football team of the same name: Serra Ferrer, Laudrup and Nadal.

‘Enjoy Laudrup’

In the time of the great Dream Team, there was always a huge banner in the Camp Nou in honour of Michael Laudrup. The slogan not only reflected the delightful skills of the Danish international but also the philosophy of that unique team. That’s the philosophy Michael has taken with him in his coaching career, starting with Brondby, then Getafe, followed by Spartak Moscow and now Mallorca.

Nadal, Laudrup’s nº 2

One of Michael’s former team-mates in the Dream Team, Miquel Angel Nadal, will be his number two at Mallorca. Nadal gave eight wonderful seasons to FC Barcelona but he’s also very much a living legend for Mallorca fans and finished his playing career with the Balearic Island team.

Serra Ferrer, the owner

The former Barça coach is the visible head of a group of investors that has taken over at Mallorca. Despite its success on the pitch, the club is in a difficult financial situation and Serra Ferrer has taken personal charge to guide it back to safer waters.

After serving in the backroom staff for four seasons, Serra Ferrer took over as first team manager at Barça in the 2000-01 season. Before that he managed Betis after making his name during nine season in charge of Mallorca.