Francesc Arnau, former goalkeeper of Barcelona and Malaga, has died this Saturday, as confirmed by Real Oviedo on his Twitter account. Arnau had held the position of sports director of the Asturian club since 2019 and had previously done so at Malaga.
Our sports director, Francesc Arnau Grabalosa, has passed away. We deeply regret her loss and accompany her family through these difficult times.
Rest in peace. #RealOviedo pic.twitter.com/oiuOOaRraw
– Real Oviedo (@RealOviedo) May 22, 2021
Arnau (Las Planas, Girona), 46 years old, He was trained in the lower categories of Barcelona and came to play in the first team for three seasons, between 1998 and 2001. That year he signed for Málaga, in which he would be ten seasons. He was a U21 international with Spain.
Arnau had arrived in Oviedo in December 2019 to fill the gap left by Joaquín del Olmo and Michu. Last month it was rumored that Arnau could enter into Joan Laporta's plans to reinforce Barcelona's technical secretariat.
???? We deeply regret the death of Francesc Arnau (1975), formed in the youth football team of FC Barcelona and goalkeeper of the first team between 1998 and 2001. Currently, he was the sports director of Real Oviedo. Rest in peace ???? pic.twitter.com/UeElbQ9nLB
– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) May 22, 2021
After his retirement in service, Arnau began to work in the lower categories of Málaga, a city with which he was always closely linked. In December 2015, he took over the sports management of the club, replacing Mario Husillos. Two years later it was Husillos himself who took over from him.
At the moment, with Oviedo ensuring your stay in Segunda, the exporter was in the process of preparing the template that will compete in the category next season.
Oviedo-Mirandés, on Monday
The clash between Real Oviedo and Mirandés, which was to close the season at Carlos Tartiere tomorrow Sunday at 4:00 p.m. and which had been advanced because neither team had anything at stake, will be postponed after confirming the death of Francesc Arnau. The League has decided that it will be played on Monday at 6.30 pm. The games of the lower categories of Oviedo have also been suspended.