Gerard López


Gerard López Segú, usually known as just Gerard, is a Spanish retired professional footballer, and a manager. An all-around midfielder, he was known for precision passes and ball control skills. During his career, he played for several clubs including Barcelona and Valencia, helping the latter reach the 2000 Champions League final.
Over nine seasons, Gerard amassed La Liga totals of 183 matches and 16 goals. He participated with Spain at Euro 2000.

Playing career

Club

Barcelona / Valencia

Born in Granollers, Barcelona, Catalonia, Gerard began his career in the FC Barcelona youth system and, in the 1996–97 season, made his professional debut with its B-team. As a 17-year-old he was signed by Valencia CF, making his La Liga debut on 31 August 1997 in a 1–2 away loss against RCD Mallorca ; for the 1998–99 campaign he was loaned to Deportivo Alavés, which had returned to the top flight after a four-decade absence.
After a breakout season with the Basque side, scoring seven goals, Gerard returned to Valencia, helping them reach the UEFA Champions League final. During this time with the Che, he came to be regarded as one of the top players in Spain and, after receiving interest from several top clubs in Europe, including Inter Milan, A.C. Milan and Manchester United, he decided to join his former club Barcelona in July 2000, in a deal worth €24 million.
Gerard would go on to appear regularly for the team during his five-year second spell, although never an undisputed starter. Injuries also began to curtail his career.

Monaco / Retirement

After leaving Barça with the 2005 national championship, Gerard moved abroad, playing two unassuming seasons with France's AS Monaco FC, also being severely injured. He returned to Spain for 2007–08, with top level's Recreativo de Huelva.
After rejecting a move to PAOK FC, Gerard trained for a few months with lowly EC Granollers, in Preferent Territorial de Catalunya. In mid-February 2009 he moved back to Catalonia, joining Girona FC until the end of the second division campaign; shortly after arriving he was injured again, but managed to net four times in only six Segunda División games.

International

After a spectacular 1999–00 season with Valencia, on both fronts, Gerard received his first cap for Spain on 3 June 2000, in a 1–1 friendly with Sweden in Gothenburg. He went on to play in a further five matches, being selected for UEFA Euro 2000.

International goals

Coaching career

In October 2013, Gerard replaced Johan Cruyff as manager of Catalonia. On 22 July 2015, he was appointed at Barcelona B after their relegation to Segunda División B.
At the end of the 2016–17 season, Gerard coached his team back to the second level. Subsequently, he renewed his contract for another year.
On 25 April 2018, with the side placed inside the relegation zone, Gerard was relieved of his duties.

Personal life

Gerard's older brothers, Sergi and Julià López Segú, were also footballers, and defenders. The former, who also represented Barcelona, died by suicide at 39.
The latter played almost exclusively for Barça B whilst they were in the second tier, also having a brief top flight spell with Real Valladolid, in 1993–94.

Managerial statistics

Honours

Valencia
Barcelona