Francesc Arnau, manager of Oviedo and exporter of FC Barcelona and Malaga has passed away this Saturday at 46 years of age. Born in Girona, he was immersed in the design of the blue sports project for the next campaign, work that had begun this Friday after a day of intense meetings in El Requexón with the club’s leadership.
The sudden loss of the former goalkeeper has impacted on the oviedismo, who breathed relief for two days after having achieved permanence in the category after a difficult year in sports.
The blue entity, very affected by the death of Arnau, has decided suspend all matches of the day, including that of the first team against Mirandés, which will be postponed until further notice due to the painful loss of manager Carbayón. “Our sports director, Francesc Arnau Grabalosa, has passed away. We deeply regret his loss and we accompany his family in these hard times. Rest in peace.”, Oviedo wrote on his Twitter account.
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
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The former goalkeeper from Las Planas (Girona) was trained as a player in the lower categories of FC Barcelona, a club he joined in 1994. From 1998 to 2001 he was part of the first team, with which he won a Spanish league.
After that, played for Malaga for a decade, from 2001 to 2011, year in which you retired; In his last game, on May 21, 2011, he took the field replacing Willy Caballero. In addition, he won the 1998 European Under-21 with Spain, in which he was named best player of the tournament.
After his career as a footballer, he began his stage as sports director, first in Malaga. He joined the Andalusian club again, replacing Mario Husillos, and served from 2015 to 2018. In December 2019, he signed as Real Oviedo’s sports director.
The networks pay tribute to him
The flags of El Requexón wave at half mast as a sign of mourning for the death of Arnau. A hug to the whole Carbayona family. pic.twitter.com/SpMA0U27XP
– Íñigo Domínguez (@InigoDominguez) May 22, 2021
⚫️ The Royal Spanish Football Federation wishes to express its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Francesc Arnau, former footballer and sports director of the @RealOviedo, for his death.
We share your pain in these difficult times.
Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/dVgDQcN04w
— RFEF (@rfef) May 22, 2021
We regret the loss of Francesc Arnau. Rest in peace. ???? pic.twitter.com/L0gjzBLln5
– Football in Movistar + (@MovistarFutbol) May 22, 2021
???? From Real Sporting we want to send a very strong hug to the family, friends and colleagues of Francesc Arnau in these difficult times
Rest in peace pic.twitter.com/HoHAHHs5Fp
— Real Sporting (@RealSporting) May 22, 2021
???? We deeply regret the death of Francesc Arnau (1975), formed in the grassroots football 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
Official statement: death of Francesc Arnau.#RealMadrid
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) May 22, 2021
???? The # MálagaCF mourns the sudden death of Francesc Arnau.
Member of the #FamilyMalaguista as a player and executive in #LaAcademiaMCF and sports management, it leaves us too young.
A big hug to your family and friends.
D.E.P. pic.twitter.com/4omAK2yeYI
— Málaga CF (@MalagaCF) May 22, 2021
The best way to remember a goalkeeper is with his saves.
Francesc Arnau. pic.twitter.com/MIBnHrCWzS
– Sique RodríguezGairí (@SiqueRodriguez) May 22, 2021
#LaLiga regrets the death of Francesc Arnau Grabalosa and sends its support to the family and friends of the historic goalkeeper and sports director. Rest in peace. https://t.co/jzlaTMWTPw
— LaLiga (@LaLiga) May 22, 2021
Francesc Arnau has passed away at the age of 46. He was a goalkeeper for Barça and was the sports director of Real Oviedo. A big hug to his family and the many friends he left in the @FCBarcelona @MalagaCF Y @RealOviedo. pic.twitter.com/MRaEBBCFCm
— Sphera Sports (@SpheraSports) May 22, 2021
What a tragedy, I am speechless. A hug to your family and friends, as well as to all of Real Oviedo. D.E.P https://t.co/SlN3U7IxCL
– Mario Torrejón (@mariotorrejon) May 22, 2021
Terrible news! All my affection to family, friends and Oviedo. D.E.P https://t.co/SEj0d9sDhW
– ???????????????? ???????? ???????????????? (@YagodeVega) May 22, 2021
Speechless. DEP ???? https://t.co/mxLXJpVi8E
– Lluís Flaquer (@LluisFlaquer) May 22, 2021
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