Jesús Velasco is the new head coach of the Spanish futsal team, replacing Fede Vidal. Velasco will be introduced this Friday at 12:30 at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas, where he’ll also announce the squad for a November 6 friendly against Portugal in Sines. The 57-year-old coach from Toledo brings an impressive track record, starting his career on the bench between 1996 and 1998. Velasco moved into Italian futsal, securing six league titles, four cups, and five Super Cups. He returned to Spain’s First Division in 2009, managing Caja Segovia, Movistar Inter, and Barça, where he won three UEFA Futsal Champions Leagues, seven leagues, five Spanish Cups, two Copas del Rey, and five Super Cups. He also led ACCS to a French League title in 2020-21.
Velasco succeeds Vidal, who stepped down this Thursday after serving as national coach since 2018, accumulating 75 games with 59 wins, six draws, and ten losses. Vidal remains part of the Spanish Football Federation, focusing on roles related to the National Futsal Committee. His tenure included a five-month absence due to illness, during which U-19 and U-21 coach Albert Canillas temporarily took over. Vidal returned for friendlies against Germany in February. As a member of José Venancio López’s coaching team, Vidal contributed to Spain’s European Championships in 2012 and 2016. From 2011 to 2018, he led 44 youth matches (U-16 to U-21) and held the role of sporting director for Spain’s futsal teams. The team’s early exit from the Uzbekistan World Cup, eliminated 2-1 by Venezuela in the round of 16, influenced the decision for a coaching change.
