They saw this on Catanzaro's resume and with interest piqued, felt they had nothing to lose by chatting to an unknown Australian coach on their doorstep. 

He impressed enough and with his story clearly resonating, and after almost six months, he got a job with the international academy (where he coaches players in the 14-17-year-old bracket with a mix of English and Spanish). 

“I didn’t trade on the fact that Amor was at Adelaide when I was there,” he adds. “It was simply on my resume.” 

The Spanish football system resonates with this Australian coach

You could say he’s taken his opportunity with both hands, putting in 70 hour weeks starting his days at 6.30 am and coming home by mid-evening as he lives his Spanish dream. 

“It’s short-term pain for long-term gain." 

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Even on a nominal day off Sunday, Catanzaro will often be on a screen or planning the week ahead at home with wife Nadine and football crazy son Lewis "who is fluent in Spanish" the Aussie proudly reports. 

His story says much about the standard of coaching in Australia. 

Catanzaro, a former national U20 player under the greatest modern-day Australian coach Ange Postecoglou, says local football coaches are deeply undervalued. 

“I honestly believe after 12 months here and working with Spanish coaches, I believe Australian coaches are no worse than what I’ve seen here… probably better coaches. Because we have coaches with the whole package.” 

Catanzaro remains an advocate for women’s football and has an eye in the future on replicating an academy set up for women back home. 

“I’d love to put together something for female footballers like this here back in Australia, where there is such massive potential. I can see myself exploring that kind of path.” 

Today (Monday) COVID-19 restrictions ease in Barcelona as Spanish authorities gradually bring life back to a country that’s been hit harder than most. 

Spanish legend Gui Amor won the A-League in 2016 for Adelaide United

It’s been an “intimidating experience” notes Catanzaro. 

“The first 20-30 days it was really scary here. 

"There were people patrolling streets, drones above us here in Sant Gugat [an affluent hillside area about 13kms from Barcelona city center).

"People were tense and scared.”

Life will inevitably return to normal for Spanish people. And Catanzaro will continue his dream European journey as a coach in one of world football’s epicenters. 

And with Martinez, Catanzaro's network has an influential contact as he builds his career in Spanish football. 

“Australia will always be home but we’re living in a beautiful city and I’m living my dream coaching abroad,” adds Australia's Barcelona representative.