A legend of football, Adelaide United’s new head coach cemented his reputation as one of the most important players in FC Barcelona’s history.
Following Guillermo Amor’s appointment, we reflect on his outstanding playing career and take a look at his journey in becoming the Red’s head coach.
Born in the small village of Benidorm in Alicante, Spain, Amor joined FC Barcelona’s renowned La Masía at the age of 10.
Throughout his time at La Masía, Amor was educated in true Barcelona style and was taught their uniquely successful ways, quickly progressing through the ranks and into their first team.
But, unlike today, this feat wasn’t regularly accomplished, making Amor one of the very first to represent Barcelona at every level.
Amor made his debut for Barça while the club was under the management of Dutch legend, Johan Cruyff, in the 1988/89 season after playing four successful seasons in the club’s B-side.
The dynamic midfielder soon became one of the Blaugrana’s most influential players and by the end of the 1993/94 campaign he helped his side to win four successive La Liga Championships, a European cup in 1991/92, a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1988/89, a UEFA Super Cup in 1992, a Copa del Rey in 1989/90, and three Supercopa de España’s in 1991, 1992, and 1994.
Most notably, in the 1993/94 La Liga Championship triumph, Amor was ever-present with the exception of just one match and managed a career high of eight goals.
As a result of all his success, Amor is now referred to as one of the most important players in the entire history of Barcelona and a player truly symbolising the Barça youth system for his complete dedication to the club and its values, widely celebrated and still adored by fans.
Guillermo Amor – FC Barcelona Legends
In total, Amor amassed 550 appearances for the Blaugrana and scored 89 goals, but in La Liga alone, he played for an incredible 12 seasons and featured 375 times, converting 48 goals.
Amor left his childhood club in 1998 and departed for Italy where he joined ACF Fiorentina before returning to Spain to play for Villarreal CF in 2000. He then travelled to Scotland for a short spell with Livingston FC, but all his success was achieved whilst at the heart and in control of Barça’s midfield.
Outside of club football, Amor represented his nation at U18 and U21 levels prior to his international debut for Spain in 1990 when he was 23.
Amor represented his country a total of 37 times scoring four goals along the way, including an 84th minute winner against Romania at the European Championship in 1996, which sent La Furia Roja into the quarterfinals.
He also earned the right to represent Spain at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, however his side was unable to advance from the group stages.
After his retirement from playing football in 2003, Amor became Barcelona’s Head of Youth Football, a position he thrived in until 2007. He later re-joined his beloved club in 2010 as Technical Director of Football Training.
In 2014, after initial contact from former Adelaide United manager, Josep Gombau, Amor agreed to travel to Australia to assist with the technical development of the Reds’ players.
But after a month-and-a-half, Amor agreed to officially join Adelaide United’s coaching staff as its Technical Director and just one year later, following the departure of Gombau, Amor was appointed the club’s new head coach.
#TrustInAmor
