The Spanish goalkeeping coach begins a new chapter in Vietnam with the ambition of helping Becamex return to the top tier of Vietnamese football. In this interview, he discusses his coaching philosophy, his first impressions of the country, and the goals he has set for the season.
- What convinced you the most about the Becamex project, and how are you approaching this new challenge in Vietnamese football?
There isn’t just one answer. There were many reasons to accept this challenge. Having my first international experience in Vietnam—a country that has always fascinated me—joining a professional club with the history and tradition of Becamex, and becoming part of a Spanish coaching staff with international experience all made the decision much easier.
I’m approaching this challenge with great ambition. It’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a successful season in the professional football of a country that is experiencing significant growth.
- Every goalkeeping coach has their own philosophy. How would you describe your coaching approach, and what values do you aim to instill in your goalkeepers?
I like to structure training sessions around realistic match situations. Recreating game scenarios that are as close as possible to actual competition should always be the main objective. From there, it’s essential to consider many other factors, such as the goalkeeper’s individual characteristics, the dynamics of the group, the team’s playing style, and the specific demands of each opponent. All of this results in contextualized training that is tailored both to the goalkeeper and to their environment.
On a personal level, I consider myself a coach who is approachable and supportive. I really enjoy the day-to-day work and want my goalkeepers to enjoy it as well, without ever compromising on standards or competitiveness. I believe that building strong personal relationships and creating a positive atmosphere within the goalkeeping group is essential. A season is long, we spend countless hours together, and maintaining a healthy environment is key to sustaining motivation and a high level of performance.
- Throughout your career, you’ve worked in different environments and projects. What experiences have best prepared you for this new chapter?
One of my biggest learnings has been developing a broad understanding of how a coaching staff functions. In Spain, I’ve combined my role as a goalkeeping coach with responsibilities as an assistant coach and performance analyst. I’ve also worked in technical recruitment and coordinated the goalkeeping department at club level.
All of these experiences have helped me understand how a team operates from different perspectives and have enriched my daily work, always in close collaboration with the rest of the coaching staff and the various departments within the club.
- What have been your first impressions of the goalkeepers and the competitive level you’ve found in Vietnam?
My first impression has been very positive. The standard of the goalkeepers is higher than I expected, which has been a pleasant surprise. That said, there are some technical and tactical fundamentals that differ from what we’re used to seeing in Europe.
That’s where I believe we can add value and make a real difference. The most important thing is that there is excellent potential and a strong willingness to work—two essential qualities for continued development.
- What are your main goals, both collectively and personally, for this season with Becamex?
From a collective perspective, the objective is very clear: to help Becamex earn promotion back to the V.League 1. To achieve that, we need to build a team that is dominant, competitive, and capable of winning consistently. I believe we have a squad, coaching staff, and facilities that give us every reason to be optimistic.
On a personal level, I want to challenge myself in a completely different football environment, gain a deep understanding of Vietnamese football and the role of goalkeepers within it, and contribute as much as possible to the team’s success while continuing to grow both professionally and personally.