A phone call during the summer of 1996 from Barcelona vice-president Joan Gaspart to discuss Luís Figo resulted in an offer of employment with the Spanish club. Robson took over in July 1996, where again his assistant was Mourinho; Robson had made Mourinho's move with him to the Camp Nou a condition of his employment. One of the key decisions Robson made during his brief tenure at Barcelona was the US$19.5 million signing of Ronaldo, who was influential in a season when Barcelona won the Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. Robson himself was voted European Manager of the Year for 1996–97, while Ronaldo stated, "as a trainer without doubt [Robson] is one of the greatest in the world".
A phone call during the summer of 1996 from Barcelona vice-president Joan Gaspart to discuss Luís Figo resulted in an offer of employment with the Spanish club Robson took over in July 1996 where again his assistant was Mourinho; Robson had made Mourinho's move with him to the Camp Nou a condition of his employment One of the key decisions Robson made during his brief tenure at Barcelona was the US$195 million signing of Ronaldo who was influential in a season when Barcelona won the Copa del Rey Supercopa de España and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Robson himself was voted European Manager of the Year for 1996–97 while Ronaldo stated "as a trainer without doubt [Robson] is one of the greatest in the world"