Quick Facts
Biography
Gerard López Segú (born 12 March 1979), usually known as just Gerard, is a Spanish retired footballer, and the current coach of FC Barcelona B and the Catalonia national team. 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 the course of nine seasons, Gerard amassed La Liga totals of 183 games and 16 goals. He participated with Spain at Euro 2000.
Club career
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 (90 minutes played); 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 €22 million (£15 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) and returning to Spain for 2007–08 with top level's Recreativo de Huelva.
After rejecting a move to PAOK FC, he trained for a few months with lowly EC Granollers, in Preferent Territorial de Catalunya. In mid-February 2009, Gerard 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.
Coaching
In October 2013, Gerard replaced Johan Cruyff as manager of Catalonia. On 22 July 2015 he was appointed at Barcelona B, after the team's relegation to Segunda División B.
International career
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 internationals, being selected for UEFA Euro 2000.
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 2 September 2000 | Koševo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina |  Bosnia and Herzegovina | 0–1 | 1–2 | 2002 World Cup qualification |
| 2. | 7 October 2000 | Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain |  Israel | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2002 World Cup qualification |
Personal life
Gerard's older brothers, Sergi and Julià López Segú (commonly known as Juli, born 1969), were also footballers, and defenders. The former, who also represented Barcelona, committed suicide at 39.
The latter played almost exclusively for Barça B whilst it was in the second division, also having a brief first division spell (13 matches) with Real Valladolid, in 1993–94.
Honours
- Valencia
- Supercopa de España: 1999
- UEFA Champions League: Runner-up 1999–2000
- Barcelona
- La Liga: 2004–05