The MLS Club confirms ex soccer player and former Newcastle United F.C. assistant for the inaugural season
CHARLOTTE, NC (Wednesday, July 14, 2021) – Charlotte FC today announced Mikel Antía as a new assistant coach. Antía joins the technical staff of head coach Miguel Ángel Ramírez and assistant coach Christian Lattanzio. The Spaniard signed a three-year agreement with the Club and his official hire is pending receipt of his work visa.
The 49-year-old joins the new MLS expansion team from professional Chinese football club Dalian Pro F.C., where he served as assistant from 2019-2021. Previously, he was an assistant for Newcastle United F.C., one of the most historic and popular clubs in English football. From 2016-2019, he worked under renowned head coach Rafael Benítez who led the team’s promotion to the Premier League and re-established them as a top-flight club in 2017. Last month, Benítez, was appointed as the new club manager of Everton Football Club. He has also been in charge of leading teams including Real Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Napoli.
“We look forward to welcome Mikel to Charlotte FC. We are very pleased with the coaching team we are establishing for our inaugural season,” said Charlotte FC Sporting Director Zoran Krneta. “Mikel brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of styles of play, methodology and player development systems. We expect that our newly formed coaching staff with head coach Miguel Ángel Ramírez, assistant Christian Lattanzio and Mikel will lead a competitive team.”
Born in San Sebastián, Spain, Antía spent four years in the Aspire Academy in Doha, Qatar, established to develop youth soccer players in the build-up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
“I am thrilled for the opportunity to join Charlotte FC’s coaching team and work with Miguel and Christian,” said Antía. “I have known Miguel since my time at the Aspire Academy from 2012-2016 and have seen his evolution as a coach. Football is my passion and the possibility of helping build this Club allows me to combine different styles of play based on rhythm, intensity and a solid understanding of the game.”
Throughout his career as a soccer player, Antía was a defender for Spanish clubs Celta Vigo, Real Madrid, Real Valladolid and Real Sociedad.
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