It’s the start of an Indian summer for Albert Roca…

The 53-year-old Spanish futbol coach has been named the new head coach of the Bengaluru Football Club.

He joins the Indian champions on a two-season deal after the departure of Englishman Ashley Westwood.

Roca was most recently in charge of the El Salvador national team. He’s perhaps best known as Frank Rijkaard‘s long-time assistant at Barcelona and Saudi Arabia.

As a player, the former central defender spent two seasons in La Liga and more than a decade in the Spanish second tier.

“I’m very satisfied to have signed with Bengaluru FC,” Roca told the AFC.

“They are the champions of India, have fantastic supporters and most importantly, have a great support system and a management that is always hands on and wants to stay at the top. I want to assure our supporters that we will always give it our best. I want the supporters to be happy about the way we play.”

Roca was in charge of El Salvador for two years from 2014 and faced up to Vicente Del Bosque‘s Spain, losing 2-0 in the United States.

He worked under Rijkaard at the Camp Nou between 2003-08 when Barcelona won two La Liga titles and the 2005-06 Champions League crown.

His first competitive matches for Bengaluru will be against Tampines Rovers on September 14 and 21 over two legs in the final eight of the AFC Cup.