Odisha FC’s recently-appointed Assistant Coach and Head of Football Development Kino Garcia is all pumped up ahead of the new Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) season. In a recent interview with the OFC Media Team, Kino has explained his role at the Club and also stressed on the fact that everyone in the team will definitely work hard and make the Juggernauts feel proud of the Club.

Speaking about his relationship with Head Coach Kiko Ramirez and his responsibilities, the Spaniard explained, “My role is different and not only the assistant coach of the first team. I am really happy to work with Kiko. He is an experienced coach and the moment we started speaking, I thought that we have a good connection and we understand eachother well. I know that with Kiko at the helm, the Club can become the best this year. We know a lot of players and I think it’s going to be nice.”

“Not only helping Kiko as an Assistant Coach, but my role will also be a lot more in terms of football development at the Club. I will also play a role in building an academy and control what is happening with respect to the footballing aspects of Odisha FC. I will try to bring in top quality in the professional aspects of football like building the academy, developing players, signing new players, and controlling the talent that we have here.”  

A UEFA Pro License holder – Kino – is of the opinion that the involvement of football legend David Villa and his DV7 group has been a great help in shaping the team for the upcoming Hero ISL matches. Kino highlighted the importance of the group in bringing together the coaching unit as well as in the signing of quality foreign players for the side this season.

“We know the importance that DV7 has in bringing Kiko and helping in the signing of all the good players and the fans are really excited for that,” he opined.

“We trust the group (DV7) and they gave us a lot of confidence. Kiko agreed to come here because he knows the group and the reason is same for me. We have signed some really important players and having David Villa behind and his brand has helped us. For instance, in the signing of Jonathas, without the help of David Villa and the group, it could have been really difficult.  With the advice of DV7 – David Villa, Josep Gombau and Victor Onate, we have all come here together.” 

In the start of this month, Odisha FC had signed International Club Partnership with Premier League side Watford FC who also has a Spaniard as their Head Coach. Kino spoke about his and Kiko’s relation with Xisco and the backroom staff at Watford and mentioned about how that is going to be important in this partnership between the two teams.

 

“Kiko and me, we know Xisco who is the Head Coach of Watford and we know his staff at Watford. It is good that we Spaniards are working in different clubs in different countries and now we are together. Of course, it gives us an advantage. We can go there for pre-season in top facilities and we can share philosophies. That is how it is a win-win situation for us and also for the Hero ISL,” Kino mentioned.

When asked about his initial days in India, the OFC Assistant Coach replied, “It’s a very good experience to come to India. The people here are nice and the environment is good. The players have really great attitude and we are enjoying our initial days here.”

“I am sure the fans will enjoy our games from their home and we will make them proud. They will feel proud of the Kalinga Warriors.”