Working from home, Juan Ferrando gets ready for FC Goa

Even in any other case, Juan Ferrando may have been working from house. That’s how coaches within the Indian Super League (ISL) function at the moment of the yr, three months previous to pre-seasons. Ferrando says he’s on the brink of be Sergio Lobera’s successor at FC Goa like he would in “normal times”.

Ferrando is linking up with the health coach each morning, getting the crew physician on WhatsApp to inquire about earlier accidents, watching video games to know the Indian Super League (ISL) and getting ready particular person programmes for gamers who can prepare outdoors. “This is a moment to learn,” he says.

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If that appears like numerous work within the time of lockdown, it’s. After all, Ferrando is changing somebody who took FC Goa to 2 ISL semi-finals, one closing and a Super Cup title in three seasons. In 2020-21, FC Goa will even be the primary crew from India in the principle spherical of the Asian Champions League by topping the league part of ISL 6.

“I go for a run for one or two hours every day to take my mind off football. The rest of the day is about programme, planning and players,” says Ferrando, 39, on a Zoom name, from his house in Barcelona.

Then he lowers his glasses, appears into his display as if to digitally lock eyes with the questioner, and says: “But this is not really football. One month without it is okay but two months is so hard… and you can’t see Espanyol play at home.”

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Uncertainty within the time of Covid-19 additionally isn’t serving to the brand new coach “close” his squad – particularly new international gamers – by August-September for six or eight weeks of pre-seasons assuming ISL 7 would start in late October. “The pre-seasons prepare muscles and players’ psychology because the next season would be a hard season,” says the person who has a doctorate from the University of Zaragoza’s division of drugs. Ferrando’s thesis was on how physique vibration coaching helps spot jumps {of professional} footballers. He has additionally been health, tactical and technical coach at Espanyol’s soccer faculty.

Ferrando’s curiosity in sports activities science – he has levels and diplomas from University of Barcelona – took him to Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal and to Brighton when Gus Poyet was supervisor. It was a chance to study teaching, says Ferrando who was additionally the non-public coach of Cesc Fabergas and Robin van Persie.

A coach since he was 18, Ferrando has additionally learnt from Marcelo Bielsa – “crazy coach but an inspiration about lot of things,” he says in regards to the Argentinean – Pep Guardiola, Thomas Tuchel, Manuel Pellegrini and Antonio Conte who “was perfect at Chelsea (in 2016-17).”

Intensity, innovation, verticality, the significance of possession and attacking soccer unite these well-known names. Statements akin to “protecting the ball is good,” and “keeping the ball is important” adopted from Ferrando.

“If the focus is positive, of course, you can lose but maybe you will have more options to win,” he says. It’s an concept Lobera, who like Ferrando frolicked at FC Barcelona, wedged deep in FC Goa; one he fine-tuned with elevated defensive self-discipline in 2019-20 earlier than the sudden departure.

“There are, however, certain tactical details I would want to change but let that stay a secret,” says Ferrando.

Now with Mumbai City FC, Lobera sealed a 2021 Champions League berth for FC Goa. Indians golf equipment have carried out poorly in Asia final season and that was within the AFC Cup, the continent’s second-tier competitors. “Our mentality will be competitive,” says Ferrando.

Will ISL permitting 5 imports within the enjoying 11 and the continent following the three+1 rule, together with one participant of Asian origin, add to his squad-building issues? “We will take the best three players who can help the team. In this moment, we are in that position,” says Ferrando the fifth Spanish coach within the 10-team ISL.

As assistant-coach Ferrando was a part of Moldova’s FC Sheriff marketing campaign in Europe. His largest second as a coach although got here in Greece when Ferrando helped Volos NFC win successive promotions and transfer from third to first division between 2017 and 2019 earlier than leaving due to an eye fixed downside. “We had players hungry about their future and players with experience. There was also a good feeling in the dressing room,” he says.

To create that feeling of crew spirit, it’s essential that everyone enjoys what they’re doing, he says. “You need to find exercises to enjoy. I am not a military type coach like many Serbians and Russians,” says the polyglot who can converse Spanish, English, Russian, Greek and Catalan.