We play to move you
Álvar Arranz Chicote
Licensed UEFA Pro Soccer Coach
I hold a UEFA Pro license from the Royal Spanish Soccer Federation. The highest coaching certification available in Europe, required to manage in top tier competitions. Based in San Diego, CA.
This is my way.
A Chaotic and complex game
I believe respecting the nature of the game itself and embracing the aptitudes of the unique group of players that every team has is the key for success. Success to me means belonging to the community, understanding and respecting the culture of the club and city, the taste of soccer of the fans, creating the best context to help the team express its own game and as a result achieving the goals the club pursues.
I understand there is a fine line between coaching staff beliefs and club / fans preferences. Meanwhile I strongly believe a head coach has to communicate and deliver ideas according to his own way of living the game, I also recognize every team has its own characteristics. There is no team like any other, in fact, there is no season like any other inside of the same team.
I come from the north of Spain
I find myself in between worlds. I need to have the ball and I also need my team to adapt and defend its own goal when we don’t have it with courage and intensity. Players own the game. Starting from that belief I focus my attention on elevating my players knowledge of the game, equipping them with concepts that will help them make better decisions to adapt to different contexts.
Coaching
My Career Path
It has been a fulfilling journey filled with new experiences and great colleagues that challenged me and opened my mind about what coaching soccer teams and players means. In addition to my certifications I always pursued more information, courses in different areas I find relevant to the game and/or coaching, chats with top level coaches and endless visits to empty stadiums with a team training on the field to learn as much as possible.
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Burgos CF
2007-2012
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F Rayo Vallecano
2014-2016
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Barça Academy
2017-2020
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Dutch Lions FC
2023
Sharing Knowledge
With coaches around the world
Something that resonates with me is creating soccer coaching content that I wish I had access to when I was studying for my different coaching licenses. Now, as a UEFA Pro licensed coach, I am excited to share my knowledge and experience with fellow coaches and players.
Elevate your game
Testimonials
Those who know me
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Jorge Couto Reis
Former Project Director at Barça Academy
I’m really glad and fortunate to call such a human being like Álvar friend. Sharing different professional experiences with him allowed me to increase my perspective and knowledge about the global phenomena of soccer. His range of abilities related to training methodology and analysis represents a huge boost for all ambitious organizations.
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Miguel Llorente
CD Castellon Assistant Coach
I worked with Álvar in the US for several weeks.I believe that to be a good coach, you have to be a thoughtful, patient person and, in addition to all this, make decisions with maturity and temperance. I think Alvar has all these qualities.Coupled with a passion for the game that we all share, they make him a very good coach.
Always in my team. -
Emma Holmskov
Professional Player at B 93, Denmark
We can be fortunate to come across coaches who do not only better our soccer skills but also manage to impact our understanding of the sport itself. Álvar is a such coach. Playing for him was an educating-experience as he helped me gain new perceptions of the game to start my professional career. His excessive knowledge is admiring; I hope many players will be lucky enough to receive the same impactful experience as I did working with Álvar.
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Iban Urbano
Professional Soccer Coach
I met Álvar in my time at Burgos CF and I discovered a person who was passionate about football, very restless and eager to experiment and grow as a coach.
This experience with Álvar helped me a lot in my beginnings in grassroots football.