Barcelona extend handball coach Carlos Ortega’s contract until 2031

Barcelona have extended handball head coach Carlos Ortega’s contract until 30 June 2031, keeping the Spanish coach in charge for a full decade since he joined the club.

Ortega’s previous deal was due to expire at the end of the current season, but Barcelona have reached an agreement with the 53-year-old to continue their partnership for a further long-term period.

The new contract was signed at the office of Barcelona president Joan Laporta. Joan Sole, who is responsible for the club’s handball section, and several members of the team’s management were also present at the ceremony.

Barcelona said the decision to renew Ortega’s contract reflected the outstanding results achieved during his time in charge.

Ortega has guided the club to three EHF Champions League titles in the past five seasons, with the most recent of those successes coming in the latest edition of the competition. Barcelona have also reached the semi-finals in every Champions League campaign in which he has participated.

Under Ortega, Barcelona won the 2025 IHF Men’s Club World Championship as well as every available domestic trophy. That record includes five Spanish league titles, five Iberian Super Cup titles and five Copa del Rey titles.

The 2025-26 campaign was particularly significant for the club. Barcelona won all seven competitions in which they competed, achieving the feat for only the third time in the club’s history. The previous occasions came in the 1999-2000 and 2014-15 seasons.

Ortega has also built an exceptional personal record in European handball. He is the record holder for the most EHF Champions League titles, with nine victories overall.

Six of those titles came during his playing career with Barcelona between 1994 and 2005. Since moving into management, he has added three more Champions League trophies from the bench.

The new agreement means Ortega will continue to lead Barcelona’s handball project until 2031, with the club aiming to maintain its dominance in Spain and remain at the top of European competition.

His renewal provides continuity for a side that has combined sustained domestic success with regular challenges for the biggest honours on the continent. Barcelona’s decision follows a period in which Ortega has delivered major trophies across both local and international competitions, while also helping the team maintain its presence in the latter stages of the Champions League.

The club’s seven-trophy campaign in 2025-26 further strengthened the case for extending his tenure. With Ortega now committed to Barcelona until the end of the 2030-31 season, the club will continue its pursuit of further domestic titles and European success under the coach who has contributed to nine Champions League triumphs as both a player and manager.