Manager – Mista
Ancient graves, Holy City and Christian relics. Caravaca de La Cruz, Spain is one pretty place located in the southeast region of Spain called Murcia. I mean I have already packed my bags to visit if it weren’t for COVID.
I suppose I won’t be going anywhere; but Mista, born in 1978, in Caravaca, decided to pack his own bags and come here to be the first coach of the Atlético Ottawa team. This isn’t the first time he has packed his bags for Canada, as Canadian soccer fans would remember him for spending part of the 2010 season in Toronto.
Although he played most of his youth career in his hometown, he is a product of the Real Madrid Castilla youth system. Though he only played for the Madrid B and C teams, he moved on to Tenerife, where he helped get them promoted from the Ségunda in 2001, edging out Atlético Madrid by goal differential.
The following season, Mista joined La Liga side, Valencia. This was the best stretch of his career, as he won two La Liga titles and one UEFA Cup (now the Europa League) as a prominent member of the team. He was at times, a prolific scorer in the league (by standards that existed before Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo). In the 2003-04 season, Mista scored the third highest amount of goals (19). Overall, he amassed a total of 40 goals in 144 appearances throughout his time in Valencia. He later joined Atlético de Madrid and Deportivo de La Cruña, battling injuries before having a short lap with TFC before retirement.
Mista is a relatively new coach with most of his experience coming at the youth level with Valencia and Rayo Vallecano. It will be interesting to see his managerial style develop and what elements and influences he will apply in coaching the team in Ottawa. It seems obvious to point out that he is a protégé of the Atlético’s 11-man tough, defensive philosophy, but I am curious how much of his philosophy could be influenced by Rafa Benítez from his time as Mista’s coach in Valencia, where they had success together.
Rafa Benítez, better known as a legendary manager, that won multiple trophies including a Champions League with Liverpool. His teams were known to be well organized, often defensive, well prepared, tactical, and particularly known for zonal rather than man marking. He was also known for often tinkering with his lineups.
With Mista’s talents in attack, I believe he will aim to combine his offensive instincts with the defensive philosophies of Atlético de Madrid and Rafa Benítez in his own systems.
However, preparations have been difficult for Mista this season. Already having to rush after the club was announced to fill out the squad, the pandemic only made this process more challenging. Even some foreign players that were already signed by the club may not be available due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. For example, it was reported three weeks ago that Tevin Shaw, Bernardinho, and Kunle Dada-Luke will not be able to make it to Canada due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. This in effect further creates some holes in the roster, particularly at right wing, attack, and centre back. It be unknown if their replacements will be able to fill their shoes, as the three players were expected to play important roles on the team.
Mista, as a first-year coach, will feel like he has a lot to prove as he continues the coaching chapter of his career.
Mista is joined by assistants Fabian Troche, who seems to be his next in command, goalkeeper coach, José Ángel Oyonarte (played for UCAM Murcia CF), and physical strength and conditioning coach, José Oriol Setien.
Front Office – Jeff Hunt and Fernando Lopez
Jeff Hunt is a key member in the front office of Atlético Ottawa. In his role as Strategic Partner, he brings years of experience in the local sports market. As owner of the Ottawa 67’s and the Ottawa Redblacks, he has been able to grow the Ottawa sports scene. Since taking over the Ottawa 67’s in the late 1990s, game attendance has quintupled.
Jeff Hunt is not new to expansion franchises, as he was a key member in bringing the CFL back to Ottawa. After two separate editions of the CFL have come and gone from the nation’s capital, Jeff Hunt seems to have built a sustainable model for success in this version of the team. Notably, the Redblacks have made it to three finals in their short history, winning in 2016.
The growth of sports in the city could be a sign that Ottawa is growing, but still, Jeff Hunt’s leadership has been instrumental in giving this city a sense of sports pride. None more symbolic than the success of his franchises, but also the revitalization of Lansdowne Park, Atlético Ottawa’s home. Although this enthusiasm hasn’t been as demonstrable with the Ottawa Fury, I feel that interest in soccer was really only getting started. Jeff Hunt understands this city and CEO, Fernando Lopez, is banking on that leadership to help the team take root in Ottawa. Lopez himself is not a stranger to expansion, as he has been Atlético Madrid’s International Expansion Manager for the last four years. Therefore, the team seems to be in good hands: Jeff Hunt’s local leadership and acumen combined with the Atlético brand and resources, led by Fernando Lopez, will only help take the world’s game to new heights for the team and the city.