It has come to MARCA's attention that Barça has been in contact with Argentine coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino with a view to him taking charge of the first team, following the news that Tito Vilanova is to step down for health reasons.

One of Barça's representatives will to fly to meet with Martino, with whom the club has already spoken, next week.

The Argentine was linked with various clubs over the summer, such as Real Sociedad and Málaga, and would be the board's first choice to take over at Barcelona. Having just severed his links to Newell's, Martino is currently on holiday with his family.

Born in Rosario, 'Tata' has spent the most part of his career in Paraguay where, having coached several clubs with considerable success, he took charge of the national team at the end of 2006. Under his management, Paraguay qualified for the South African World Cup but was eliminated by Spain (1-0) in the quarter-finals, as well as reaching the final of the 2011 Copa América, where his team was beaten by Uruguay.

Last season Martino coached the team closest to his heart, Newell's Old Boys, who became 2013 Torneo Final winners and also reached the semi-final of the Copa Libertadores, on that occasion losing to Atlético Mineiro.

Only a month ago, in an interview published in MARCA, the Argentine confessed to admiring Barcelona's tiki-taka style of play, saying the passing game was of the utmost importance.

Source: http://www.marca.com/2013/07/20/en/football/barcelona/1374332465.html