With Tito Vilanova departing the Nou Camp to undergo further cancer treatment, Barcelona announced that Argentine Gerardo Martino has agreed a two-year deal to become the club's new head coach.

The Newell's Old Boys boss has been set the challenge of returning the Catalan giants to the very pinnacle of European football once again. More pressing concerns include acquiring a world class centre-back, making sure Lionel Messi and Neymar can co-exist, as well as fending off Manchester United's interest in Cesc Fabregas.

But in the medium to long-term, assuming he is given enough time, what makes him suitable for the Barcelona job?

Lionel Messi

The Argentine connection, especially in regard to Lionel Messi is hugely signficant. The 50-year-old shares hometown Rosario with Messi and until he took over at Barca, he managed Messi's childhood club Newell's Old Boys.

The reigning Ballon D'Or holder has also been a vocal backer of Martino in the lead up to the appointment.

Indeed South American football writer and Off The Ball contributor Tim Vickery told Sky Sports how Martino was the favourite player of Messi's dad: 

There is a danger however that an overly-cosy relationship with Messi could be detrimental for Barcelona. Although he is a popular figure at the Camp Nou, Barca became overly-reliant on the Argentine's talents up to a point that it became obvious that even the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta were rudderless without him at the point of the system.

There have also been murmurings about Messi's influence when it comes to who plays around him with David Villa and Zlatan Ibrahimovic alleged victims of the little No 10's aura in the false 9 role. With young Brazilian Neymar bedding in and potentially garnering some influence, this could be a dangeorus situation if left unchecked by Martino.

Playing philosophy

Barcelona have a tough task when appointing managers due to the relatively rigid playing style. The Total Football- meets-tiki taka approach means Dutchmen and Catalans or Spaniards are the only ones who have an innate familiarity with the system. 

For an outsider to European football, Martino's philosophies do suit the Barcelona template. His Newell's side play swashbuckling, passing football not alien to the Barcelona way.

Indeed his Newell's team have been labelled the "Barcelona of South America" at times, with an emphasis on short-passing and progressive football.

Fluid 4-3-3 is his default template and he is influenced by former Athletic Bilbao boss Marcelo Bielsa - a man that also played a major role in Pep Guardiola's development.

Pedigree

He has taken what was once a struggling Newell's team to the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores (South America's Champions League).

But his achievements before that are probably more signficant. Martino was in charge of the Paraguay national team between 2007 and 2011, a golden period for the country.

In 2010 he led the nation to its first ever World Cup quarter final and followed that up the following year by taking them to the final of the Copa America.

Whether he adapts to European football, unlike many South American coaches - the exception being Manuel Pellegrini - is the key question.

We'll find out in August.