Rafa Márquez has been announced as the new coach of Barcelona's reserve team.

A new story between Rafael Márquez and FC Barcelona is beginning to be written. The Mexican, former player of the Catalan club, officially became the coach of the subsidiary team, Barcelona Atletic or Barcelona B, which competed in the recent season in the Third Division of Spain, also known as the RFEF First Division.

"FC Barcelona and Rafa Márquez have reached an agreement for his incorporation as coach of Barça Atlètic for the next two seasons, until June 30, 2024," announced the institution this Thursday through a statement published on its official website.

In this way, Márquez will live his second stage at the club, after having been a player of the first team for seven seasons, from 2003 to 2010.

"I am very happy. I want to take advantage of this great opportunity. I know the club very well and I hope to do a good job. It was seven wonderful years in my career as a footballer, where I achieved great things. Now, with the responsibility of being the coach of Barça Atletic. I am happy, but also nervous. I hope to be able to share the experience with the rest of the guys," Márquez declared about his new challenge.

On the other hand, the Mexican World Cup player in Japan-Korea 2002, Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, and Russia 2018 stated that among his goals is to "be able to develop the youngsters well, give them the necessary tools so that they can be in the first team in the not too distant future."

Rafa Márquez's debut as coach of the blue and garnet subsidiary will begin this Friday, July 15, with medical tests, and on Saturday 16 he will lead the first training session of the preseason.