The Chivas sports project headed by Fernando Hierro has had multiple edges since it began at the end of 2022. One of them, without a doubt, was to guide El Rebaño Sagrado back to the top of the Liga MX... but that wasn't the only mission. At the same time, another very important task has been to strengthen the development of homegrown talent in all aspects.
The great semester that the 3 main teams of La Cantera Rojiblanca experienced was a great step forward, since it was possible to channel the existing base of methodology, work and talent recruitment, with the impulse and vision of this new sports project. In other words, the teams closest to the First Division have solid arguments to continue with the upward curve of individual and collective growth of their squads.
Now, in order to keep El Tapatío, the team for the new U-23 and U-18 categories strong, and at the same time to ensure that the momentum of the current project has a greater impact on younger categories (from U-16 on down), Fernando Hierro's sports management has determined to make several adjustments to the structure of the Youth Academy.
What are the main changes in La Cantera Rojiblanca?
Fran Pérez will be the Director of Professional Development, that is, he will be directly in charge of Tapatío, U-23 and U-18. Fran has been part of Hierro's team since the first day at Chivas.
Learn more about Fran Perez by clicking HERE.
Mariano Varela will be the Director of Institutional Football, that is, he will be in charge of all categories from U-16 and below. Mariano was a fundamental part of Tapatío's recent success, so that same knowledge and experience will now be focused on the younger teams to help them as much as possible in their development process.
And the coaches of the 3 main categories of La Cantera Rojiblanca?
TAPATÍO
The chosen one to take the lead of the Expansion League Champion is Arturo Ortega, who coached El Rebaño U-20 team last semester and kept it in the top positions throughout the tournament. Coach Ortega will be assisted by Félix Martínez, who joins our institution after his recent experience as assistant coach of Mazatlán's First Team, in addition to his training experience in the U-20, U-17 and Second Division.
U-23
Pepe Meléndez will be the coach of Chivas U-23. Knowing what it means to be trained in Guadalajara, since he played for several years in minor categories, he has studied coaching, scouting and methodology in Europe, in addition to having experience in Liga MX with U-20, U-17 and Second Division teams. He comes from collaborating with Atlético San Luis.
U-18
The portuguese Sergio Pinto will be in charge of El Chiverío U-18. Within his professional career, Sergio has had 4 years of experience as a trainer in one of the most renowned youth academies in Europe: FC Porto. In addition, he has UEFA coaching qualifications, and all those aspects will undoubtedly contribute to the vision of promoting the development of the new red & white talents.
