NYCFC Domenec Torrent’s coaching staff
The New York City FC head coach Domenec Torrent announced that has finally named his staff after arriving nearly a month ago, adding four new faces to the club, all whom had previously served time at FC Barcelona.
The club announced that Albert Puig, the former head of La Masia — Barcelona’s storied youth academy — and Jordi Gris will act as assistant coaches on the staff, while Francesc Cos and Ismael Camenforte have been named director of performance and head of performance, respectively.
All four coaches will begin working at the Ethiad City Football Academy New York, the team’s new training facility, after their visas are approved.
“It’s important for me because the head coach is nothing without his staff,” Torrent said on Thursday.
Torrent, who enters his third week in charge of NYCFC, had previously been without his staff after he joined the team earlier this month.
Here’s a brief description of all coaches:
Albert Puig – The former Barcelona youth technical director (La Masia) had been serving as De Anza Force Soccer Club’s technical director in California since 2016.
Jordi Gris – One of Pep Guardiola’s trusted analysts at both Barcelona B and Manchester City. Both he and Torrent worked together at Barcelona. He had been serving as an assistant coach and director of youth soccer at Chennai City FC in India.
Francesc Cos – The mastermind behind all fitness at FC Barcelona from 2004 to 2016, where he was the head of strength and conditioning.
Ismael Camenforte – Poached from Barcelona B – FC Barcelona’s second team – where he had served as the head physical trainer the past six years.
The four round out Torrent’s staff to six with assistant coach Javier Perez and goalkeeper coach Rob Vartughian staying on from Patrick Vieira’s reign.
With the secondary transfer window opening next week, Torrent said NYCFC is considering strengthening its midfield and could look for center back depth amid recent injuries.
NYCFC would be looking to replace Yangel Herrera, who had season-ending ankle surgery in June. Center back Cedric Hountondji has been out since the June 6 US Open Cup match against Red Bulls with a hamstring injury.
