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Albert Ferrer Llopis ([əlˈβɛɾ fəˈre]; born 6 June 1970) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a right back, and a current coach.
Having represented local Barcelona for almost a decade, he went on to appear for England's Chelsea until his retirement. During his spell in his country he was nicknamed Chapi, and appeared in a total of 221 La Liga matches over nine seasons.
A Spanish international on more than 30 occasions, Ferrer represented the nation in two World Cups and at the 1992 Olympic Games, winning the latter tournament. He started working as a manager in 2010, with Vitesse.
Playing career
Club
Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Ferrer was a pacy and tough-tackling defender. He began his senior career with FC Barcelona B, then served a loan with CD Tenerife in the 1989–90 season, with whom he made his La Liga debut at the age of 19.
Ferrer returned to the first team the following summer, and became the club's first-choice right back, remaining as such for the following eight years and scoring once. He often partnered another club graduate, Sergi Barjuán, in the defensive wings.
Ferrer was a key member of the famous Dream Team and, during his time with the Blaugrana, won five leagues, a European Cup, a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, two domestic cups, four Supercups and two UEFA Super Cups. As the Dutch dominance at the Camp Nou in terms of players was still an important one (the club was coached by Louis van Gaal), he left in June 1998 amongst other club greats as Guillermo Amor, moving to Chelsea for £2.2 million and quickly establishing himself in the side, helping them qualify for their first ever Champions League in his debut campaign; his new club won the FA Cup the following year (but he missed the final through injury) and reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League; during the run in the latter he played in 14 of 16 games, and scored his only goal in a 2–0 win against Hertha BSC.
A combination of injuries and manager Gianluca Vialli's squad rotation policy reduced Ferrer's opportunities in the following season, and he made only 14 league appearances. Chelsea reached another FA Cup final in 2002 – which he again missed, though this time through not being selected. Out of favour and facing strong competition from younger teammates he played just seven times in his final two years combined, and left in May 2003 upon the expiry of his contract, totalling 113 overall matches for the Londoners and retiring shortly after at 33.
International
Ferrer was a Spain international on 36 occasions. His debut came on 4 September 1991 in a friendly win with Uruguay in Oviedo, as La Roja eventually did not qualify for UEFA Euro 1992.
Subsequently, Ferrer was a regular figure in the national side, appearing as starter at the 1994 FIFA World Cup and playing once in the 1998 edition, the 2–3 group stage loss against Nigeria, missing Euro 1996 and 2000 through injury (with Barcelona teammate Sergi on the other flank in all these tournaments).
In 1992, Ferrer was first-choice for the Olympic team that won the gold medal at the Summer Olympics, held in his hometown.
Coaching career
After retiring, Ferrer worked as a color commentator for a number of Spanish broadcasters. In late October 2010, he was announced as new head coach of Vitesse Arnhem in the Eredivisie, his staff also including compatriot Albert Capellas (formerly youth coach at Barcelona) and former Dutch goalkeeper Stanley Menzo, who left his post at SC Cambuur in order to join the Spaniards.
Ferrer led the side to the 15th position, in a narrow escape from relegation. He was subsequently relieved from his duties, being replaced by John van den Brom.
On 17 February 2014, Ferrer was appointed at Segunda División club Córdoba CF. After finishing the season in the seventh place, they defeated UD Las Palmas in the play-off final to return to the top flight for the first time in 42 years.
Ferrer was fired on 20 October 2014, as Córdoba ranked dead last with only four points in eight matches. On 20 June of the following year he was named RCD Mallorca manager, signing a one-year deal; after three wins from 15 second level games, he was dismissed on 30 November.
On 29 August 2017, Ferrer returned to Barcelona as coach of its legends team.
Managerial statistics
- As of 28 November 2015
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | ||||
| Vitesse | 27 October 2010 | 30 June 2011 | 25 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 35 | 42 | −7 | 032.00 | |
| Córdoba | 17 February 2014 | 20 October 2014 | 28 | 8 | 13 | 7 | 26 | 27 | −1 | 028.57 | |
| Mallorca | 20 June 2015 | 30 November 2015 | 16 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 16 | −7 | 018.75 | |
| Total | 69 | 19 | 25 | 25 | 70 | 85 | −15 | 027.54 | |||
Honours
Club
Barcelona
- La Liga: 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1997–98
- Copa del Rey: 1996–97, 1997–98
- Supercopa de España: 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996
- European Cup: 1991–92
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1996–97
- UEFA Super Cup: 1992, 1997
Chelsea
- FA Cup: 1999–2000
- FA Community Shield: 2000
- UEFA Super Cup: 1998
International
Spain
- Summer Olympic Games: 1992
