FC Goa have announced the appointment of 39-year-old Spanish coach Juan Ferrando as their new manager. The Catalonian was previously Head Coach at Greek club Volos FC and replaces Sergio Lobera who was sacked late into the 2019-20 ISL season.
After suffering a spate of injuries very early in his career, Juan took up management at the age of 18. His first big breakthrough came in the 2012-13 season when he was appointed head coach of Spanish side Málaga CF’s reserve team. A season later, he moved to the Moldovan club FC Sheriff Tiraspol as assistant manager where he helped them to the Moldovan Super Cup, the third qualifying round in the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League group stage only for the second time in their history.
In 2015, Ferrando was appointed manager at Spanish Segunda División B side Cultural Leonesa followed by a brief stint at another Spanish side Linares Deportivo.
More recently, Juan was managing Greek club Volos FC who he helped win back-to-back promotion into the top tier Greek Super League. He was awarded Coach of the Year in 2017-18 by the Greek FA.
Early on in his career, Juan was physical trainer to the Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fàbregas and the former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie.
He will lead the Gaurs’ charge into the AFC Champions League come next season and in the next edition of the ISL – but he does have big shoes to step into with the outgoing Sergio Lobera hugely successful at the club and a fan favourite.
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