Tino Pérez, new FC Barcelona futsal coach

Barça has a hew futsal head coach. Tino Pérez is one of the most respected figures in the Spanish game and arrives as a free agent from Chinese Super League outfit Shangai Quanqi Pioneer. He is signing until 30 June 2026, being the third new recruit to the team after Eric Martel and Khalid joined the playing staff.

Faustino 'Tino' Pérez-Moreno Gómez is 55 years old and hails from Toledo, with experience mainly in Spain, Russia and Italy, having won four Champions Leagues, three Spanish Ligas, two Russian Super Leagues and one Italian Scudetto.

Distinguished career

He started out at Toledart, working with Jesús Velasco, while his first placement as head coach was at Talavera in 1996, but it was at Playas de Castellón where he made his name, leading the team into its golden era between 2000 and 2003 when it won everything, including the continental crown. He also worked at Movistar Inter for three years between 2019 and 2022, as well as Polaris World Cartagena, Armiñana Valencia and Azkar Lugo.

His foreign travels have taken him as far afield as Dynamo Moscow (who reached three consecutive Champions League final from 2012 to 2014), as well as Romania (Brasov); Azerbaijan (Araz and the national team); Italy (Aqua Sapone) and China (Shangai Quanqi Pioneer).

Day one in Barcelona

Tino Pérez and his family arrived in Barcelona on Monday, and was shown around the Ciutat Esportiva by Jordi Torras, who he knows from his Inter days, and his assistant Jordi Illa. He also posed for photos and spoke to the club media.

"This is an incomparable professional challenge" he said. "I know trophies will be required but I'm used to that pressure and I have the perfect squad to do that. I want to get the team playing dynamic, vertical football, to dominate possession and to create chances, always looking to win."

Praise for new club

He said he has been in discussions with FC Barcelona about this post in the past, and is delighted that this time things have worked out. "The club has unique facilities and an unparalleled infrastructure in the futsal world" he said. "It means we professionals can get the very best out of our work, and that makes things so much easier."