LALIGA HAS SELECTED THE FINEST COACHES FOR LALIGA ACADEMY, HOLDING THE HIGHEST UEFA PRO-CERTIFICATION AND A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE WITH LALIGA CLUBS YOUTH TEAMS IN SPAIN AND INTERNATIONALLY.

José María Zarco Martín

Technical Director

As Technical Director of LaLiga Academy UAE, Coach Zarco has been leading the top-level competitive LaLiga Academy HPC teams to winning seasons for more than five years now. After earning his BSc in Sports Science from the University of Granada and a master’s degree in Football Strength and Conditioning Training, and his UEFA Pro certification, Zarco started his professional career at Granada Football Club and Athletic de Coin Football Club where he spent three years coaching football skills and fitness. Coach Zarco then brought his superior knowledge of football methodology, expertise to LaLiga Academy UAE, where is also the Head Coach for U19 HPC teams and the HPC First Team who play in the UAE 2nd Division League.

Javier Hernández Hervás

Head Coach Abu Dhabi

Coach Javier has been with LaLiga Academy since its establishment in the UAE in 2018, first in Dubai and now in Abu Dhabi. He trains children ages 4 to 17 across all levels. He has also led the LaLiga Academy HPC teams who are the top youth teams in the UAE and trained the First Team who play in the UAE 2nd Division League. With his background as a professional football player with Real Madrid’s youth team and over 10 years of coaching experience, primarily in Spain coaching LaLiga Clubs youth clubs as well as China, Javier brings a wealth of experience to each training session. He is a UEFA Pro certified coach and holds a master’s degree in Sports Management, High School Education and a BSc in the Science of Physical Activity.

Iván Pérez Vázquez

Supervisor Coach Dubai

As a supervisor coach of LaLiga Academy in Dubai, Coach Iván brings a wealth of experience to his role, having previously coached FC Cartagena S.A.D in Spain and UAE youth teams at high levels. In Saudi Arabia, he coached the Football Academy Jeddah and worked with the General Sports Authority of Saudi Arabia as a football coach for schools, as part of their strategy to upgrade the level of sports in schools. for He is a UEFA certified coach and holds a master’s degree in Physical Education and a bachelor’s degree in Sports Science and Physical Education from UCAM.

Daniel Limones García

Coach

Coach Daniel has over 15 years of experience in sports and football training. In Spain, he trained youth teams and specialized in developing and delivering programs for female footballers. At Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, Daniel developed the female youth program and coached the women’s First Team. IDaniel was then the coach of the Atletico Madrid academy in Pakistan and worked with the Pakistani Football Federation, as the coach of Women’s National Team. Daniel is UEFA Pro certified and holds a master’s degree in sports management a bachelor’s degree as physiotherapy.

Javier Martinez

Coach

Javier has over 9 years of experience as a football coach a majority of which has been in Spain training youth teams in clubs such as Burgos FC And Deportiva FC. Internationally he has trained children in China for a year and was with LaLiga Academy UAE in 2019/2020. Javier holds Masters Degrees in Physical Performance and Secondary Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports & Physical Education. He is UEFA pro certified.

Sergio Saiz García

Coach

Coach Sergio is an experienced football coach with over nine years’ experience. He started his career in Spain training children from the ages of 7 – 14 in schools and clubs such as CD Toledo. He also worked for four years in China as a football coach. Sergio is UEFA certified and holds a master’s degrees in physical training and secondary education, and a bachelor’s degree in physical activity.

José Luis Soto Gallego

Coach

Coach Jose is a seasoned football coach with over 15 years of experience working with youth from the ages of 4 and above. In Spain, he ran a grassroots youth program at Bollullos FC. He also worked as a football coach at football clubs in China for four years. Jose is UEFA Pro certified and holds a master’s degree in physical sports and a bachelor’s degree in physical education.

Xende Fernández Pérez

Coach

Coach Xende has worked extensively in coaching and training children and youth. In Spain, he coached at S.D. Chatada for four years. Prior to joining LaLiga Academy, he was on the training team of Celta Vigo’s youth training program in China. Xende is UEFA Pro certified. He holds a master’s degrees in sports psychology and performance in sports, and a bachelor’s degree in sports science.

Sergio Balsera Rubio

Coach

Coach Sergio has over 10 years of experience in coaching children and youth players. He started his career was a coach with UAE Cornella where he trained children aged 6 to 15 for nine years. Prior to joining LaLiga Academy, he was in China coaching children aged 7 – 11. He is UEFA certified and holds a BSc Degree in Sports Education.

Julian Gil

Coach

Coach Julian has been coaching youth teams at LaLiga Academy for 3 years. He brings a wealth of relevant experience having been a professional football player for 10 years. Julian has played in different top leagues in Argentina, Denmark, Malta, and Spain, during this time he was also involved in coaching youth teams at the clubs where he played. Julian is UEFA certified and holds a bachelor’s in journalism and social media.

Darryl Roberts

Coach

Coach Darryl brings a wealth of professional and training experience to LaLiga Academy. He is a former professional footballer with over 10 years of experience playing for clubs in multiple countries including the US, Holland, Turkey, Thailand, and The Philippines. He is also a former senior national team member for Trinidad and Tobago, where he played from 2006 till 2014. Prior to joining LaLiga Academy, Darryl was a member of the coaching team at Kaya FC Academy in the Philippines. Darryl is UEFA certified and holds a degree in business management.

Ruben Saborit

Coach

Coach Ruben has over 10 years of experience as a Football coach having trained children at clubs in Spain from 2012 – 2018 working with children aged 10 – 15 while also working as a fitness coach for older players. Internationally he has worked in China for 2 years gaining experience working with younger children in an academy environment. Ruben is UEFA certified and holds a master’s degree in physical training & sports rehabilitation.