Ex-Barça Midfielder Martí Riverola Appointed Manager of Atlètic Escaldes

Martí Riverola, a 35-year-old former Barcelona midfielder, has taken charge as the new manager of Atlètic Escaldes in Andorra's Primera Divisió, marking his first top-flight coaching role after a stint with Massana in the second tier.

Officially unveiled three days ago, Riverola has been leading the team for over a week following the dismissal of Dani Luque. He granted players a brief rest during the league break. Atlètic Escaldes sit fifth in the standings, in mid-table with little at stake, but remain in the Copa Constitució semi-finals after a 5-0 win this week—their biggest margin ever in the competition. Results have improved under his watch: they earned a draw against UE Santa Coloma after struggling against top sides, boosting morale.

A familiar face at the club from his playing days—where he won the league—Riverola views this as a learning opportunity midway through the season. "We're laying foundations, assessing the squad and the club's vision for next year," he said. He praised the players' reception and efforts to adopt his initial ideas, emphasising adaptation to their diverse talents.

Riverola's playing career exposed him to elite coaches including Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique, Roberto De Zerbi, García Pimienta, Sinisa Mihajlovic, and Stefano Pioli. He holds Guardiola in the highest regard—"God" for promoting possession-based play and resting while opponents attack. From De Zerbi, whom he joined in Italy's Serie C despite a two-division drop, he learned tactical and emotional management. "You take the best from each—technical, tactical, and handling situations—to build your own style," he explained.

Transitioning to coaching stemmed from his self-perceived strengths as a reader of games, not a standout athlete. "I want players to anticipate situations and make decisions—they're the protagonists," he said.

Arriving in Andorra with FC Andorra for family stability, he later joined Atlètic and Inter Escaldes, winning the title in his first year there. He sees the league growing, with better pitches and federation efforts for professionalism, though refereeing consistency and club familiarity remain challenges. European qualification motivates him: "It's not impossible— we've seen it in places like Holland or Austria."

Riverola fondly recalls FC Andorra's rapid rise from Primera Catalana to Spain's Segunda, crediting on-pitch merit over one purchased promotion. A standout memory: the home finale clinching promotion to Segunda, hinging on Albacete's draw elsewhere, watched anxiously on phones. Under Gerard Piqué's later ownership, the dressing room stayed focused, treating every match seriously.