THE COACH
I have been fortunate to work with top professional coaches like Jürgen Klinsmann, Patrick Vieira and Domenec Torrent (Former Pep Guardiola assistant).
I also worked with world class players like David Villa, Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard and Borussia Dortmund rising star Gio Reyna.
Each one of them influenced my vision and how I perceive football.
THE COACH
Style of play: "Modern football demands tactical adaptability, intense pressing and high-tempo approach to control the game"
I have over 20 years of experience working with world-class players, developing professional talent and building high-performance squads. During my career I have served in leadership roles including Head Coach, Assistant Coach and Director.
RESUME
COACHING & MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE
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ATLANTA UNITED FC I 2024-Present
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TORONTO FC I 2021
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NEW YORK CITY FC I 2020-16
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US NATIONAL TEAM I 2016-12
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SPANISH FEDERATION I 2007-04
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REAL MADRID (YOUTH) I 2007-01
COACHING HIGHLIGHTS & SKILLS
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WORLD CUP - BRAZIL 2014
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CANADIAN CUP FINALIST - 2021
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MLS HEAD COACH
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WORLD CUP U20 - NZ 2015
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CREATED THE US SOCCER CURRICULUM
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LANGUAGES: ENGLISH, SPANISH, FRENCH, GERMAN & ITALIAN
PHILOSOPHY
Preparation and capacity to adapt are the key in today's football. This is how I structure the coaching process:
1) Analysis
2) Planning
3) Training
4) Adaptability
5) Data collection
STYLE OF PLAY - PRINCIPLES:
1. 11 players attack and 11 players defend.
2. Promote speed of play: quick movement of the ball + fast players (mentally & physically).
3. Reduce the distance between players to have a better control of the ball and minimize mistakes.
4. Encourage 1v1 skills to create separation from the opponent.
5. Reward confident, determined and aggressive players.
6. Develop tactical understanding - create numerical advantage.
7. Utilise a flexible formation to exploit the opponent's weaknesses.
8. Avoid too much movement of the players by respecting their tactical position.
9. Reduce the distance between the lines defensively to deny space.
10. Emphasize urgency inside both penalty areas.
TACTICS
This is the most critical phase of training. The team adjust the system of play prior and during the game to regain control of the game.
The system is designed to counteract and regain control over 17 different formations of the opposition.
These are the 12 different variations of my SYSTEM of play:
1) 4-3-3
2) 4-2-3-1
3) 4-4-2
4) 4-4-2 diamond
5) 4-2-4
6) 4-2-2-2
7) 5-2-3
8) 5-3-2 a
9) 5-3-2 b
10) 3-4-3
11) 3-2-2-3
12) 3-3-3-1
ANALYSIS
These are the 5 key areas to structure the analysis of the opposition:
1) Style of play
2) Offensive organization
3) Defensive organization
4) Opportunities
5) Set pieces