Jamshedpur FC has signed Antonio Iriondo as their Head Coach for the 2019-20 season. The Spaniard joins JFC after managing various clubs in Spain’s La Liga, Segunda Division and Segunda B in a 27-year-long career.
Jamshedpur FC chairman and vice-president, corporate services, Tata Steel, Chanakya Chaudhary gave the coach a warm welcome as he said, “We’re delighted to welcome Antonio Iriondo to Jamshedpur FC. He comes with a proven and extensive track record. We’re confident that he is the right person for the job and that he will work to deliver the triumphs our fans and everyone involved with the club crave for. We conducted a wide-ranging and rigorous search involving extensive background references and analysis. We were unanimous in our choice of Antonio to drive the next chapter of our club.”
Antonio comes with a massive pedigree having managed 985 games during his entire career span dating back to 1992. The 65-year-old started his career at Carabanchel who played in the Segunda B back then. Later, he switched to Rayo Majadahonda where he worked for 4 years.
On his appointment, Antonio said, “I am thrilled to be joining a club of Jamshedpur FC’s stature. The philosophy, along with the grassroots and youth development structure that the club follows is the right way forward. I’m excited about what we can do together, and I look forward to giving everyone who loves the club some special moments.”
Antonio will bring with him a team of highly competent, seasoned technical staff to assist him in his new endeavor. Victor Herrero Forcada, also known as Pulga, has been signed as the assistant coach to Antonio. Pulga has prior experience of playing in the Indian Super League as he spent three seasons with Kerala Blasters FC (2014, 2015 & 2018). The goalkeeping coach and fitness coach signed to work with the new head coach will be Alfonso Lacasa Taberne and Muñoz Miguel Luis, both of whom have also worked with the new Jamshedpur FC head coach at his former club Rayo Majadahonda.
On signing the new head coach, Jamshedpur FC CEO, Mukul Choudhari said, “In Antonio, we have appointed a very experienced head coach. His methodology and passionate approach, along with his sense of values on and off the pitch, makes him the ideal person to take us forward.”