Bayelsa taps FC Barcelona experts to revolutionise state football talent
The Bayelsa State Government has appointed two technical experts from FC Barcelona, Bernat Villa Gorriz and Alberto Lafuente Rincón, to spearhead the development of local football talents and elevate the
The Bayelsa State Government has appointed two technical experts from FC Barcelona, Bernat Villa Gorriz and Alberto Lafuente Rincón, to spearhead the development of local football talents and elevate the state’s football ecosystem.
Bernat Villa Gorriz, a seasoned football coach and technical director, brings over 15 years of experience in elite player development, coaching education, and international football projects.
Holding a degree in Industrial Engineering and a UEFA-A Coaching License, Gorriz combines analytical expertise with advanced coaching skills.
He began his career in Catalonia, working with youth-focused clubs such as CF Damm, Atlètic Sant Just FC, and Sant Cugat FC, before joining FC Barcelona’s renowned Barça Academy in 2013.
Gorriz’s leadership trajectory includes his tenure as Technical Director of Barça Academy Lagos in 2016, Technical Director for the Americas region in 2019, and later managing the club’s academies across Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
By 2024, he also served as Project Manager for Africa within the FC Barcelona Scouting Department, driving talent identification strategies and long-term development initiatives across the continent.
Alberto Lafuente Rincón, a senior football executive with more than a decade of international experience, complements the team with expertise in elite player development, coach education, and strategic management of high-performance football programs.
Holding a degree in Sports Science and a UEFA-B Coaching License, Lafuente Rincón started his professional journey at CD Numancia in Spain, later joining Barça Academy Lagos in 2018.
In 2019, he became Technical Director at Barça Academy Pune, India, overseeing the academy’s sporting strategy, technical structure, and coach education programs. Between 2019 and 2025, Lafuente Rincón managed multiple international Barça Academy projects, including Dubai, the United States, and Japan, ensuring methodological consistency and operational excellence. He has also coordinated global Barça Academy camps in Taiwan, Australia, Argentina, and Colombia, standardizing coaching frameworks and fostering sustainable football growth.
For Bayelsa State, the arrival of Gorriz and Lafuente Rincón represents a major boost for aspiring footballers and coaches, promising to translate international expertise into opportunities for local talent and long-term sports development.
