Former Barcelona goalkeeper Francesc Arnau dies
Oviedo announced the news Twitter on Twitter that Francesc Arnau, their Director of Sport has passed away at the age of 46.
Former Barcelona and Málaga goalkeeper Francesc Arnau passed away this morning, Real Oviedo confirmed on their Twitter account. Arnau had been working as Director of Sport at the Asturian club since 2019 - a role he previously held at Málaga. He was just 46 years old.
Arnau, from Camp Nou to La Rosaleda
Arnau started out in Barcelona's youth teams, working his way up to the first team squad where he spent three seasons from 1998 to 2001. He left Barça in 2001 to sign for Málaga, where he would remain for the next 10 seasons. He was an international at Under-21 level for Spain.
Arnau joined Oviedo in December 2019 filling the vacancy left by Joaquín del Olmo and Michu. Last month it was rumoured that Arnau was being considered by Joan Laporta for the Technical Secretary post at Barcelona.
After hanging up his gloves, Arnau began working with the youth teams at Málaga, a city which he has always had strong links to. In December 2015, he took on the role of Director of Sport at the club, taking over from Mario Husillos, who returned to the job two years later.