South Korea's football governing body said Friday two veteran coaches who previously led Spain's golden days in the early 2010s will join the men's national team.
The Korea Football Association said it has reached agreement with Jose Antonio Grande Cereijo and Javier Minano on Thursday, and they will be assistants to national team head coach Shin Tae-yong at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The KFA added that the two Spanish coaches will arrive in South Korea later Friday.
Both coaches were part of the Spain national football team that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 UEFA European Championship.
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In this EPA file photo taken June 14, 2014, Jose Antonio Grande Cereijo (R), then assistant coach for the Spain national football team, speaks with head coach Vicente Del Bosque during a training session in Curitiba, Brazil. (Yonhap) |
They mainly worked with renowned Spanish tactician Vicente Del Bosque throughout their coaching career.
Grande, 70, was first-team assistant for Real Madrid and Besiktas before joining the Spain national team in 2008. He also worked with big-name coaches like Fabio Capello, Guus Hiddink and John Toshack, and won three UEFA Champions League titles.
Minano, 50, started his coaching career with Atletico Madrid in 1989. He also had stints with Real Madrid and Besiktas under Del Bosque.
The KFA has been searching for experienced foreign coaches who can help Shin at the World Cup. Grande will help Shin set up tactics and analyze opponents. Minano will serve as fitness coach.
They will also work with Shin's existing backroom staff comprised of Jeon Kyung-jun, Kim Nam-il, Cha Du-ri, Kim Hae-woon and Lee Jae-hong.
The KFA said the two coaches will join the national team training session next week to help the Taeguk Warriors prepare for upcoming friendly matches with Colombia and Serbia. South Korea are winless in their last six international matches. (Yonhap)
