The 2024 Intercontinental Cup had a notable attendee. England’s new head coach, Thomas Tuchel. Who watched from the stands at the Palau Municipal de Esports de Son Moix as Illes Balears Palma Futsal celebrated a historic win against Brazil’s Magnus. The German coach, vacationing on the island, mingled with fans, wearing a white cap and buying his own ticket rather than accepting formalities. A few days earlier, Tuchel had watched Mallorca face Athletic from a VIP box. While most fans didn’t recognize him, Italian coach Massimiliano Bellarte, now leading Latvia’s national futsal team, spotted him at the arena entrance. Bellarte, invited by the Balearic Football Federation to attend an international coaching clinic, posted a photo with Tuchel on social media. Palma officials and the event organizers, Mundo do Futsal, stated they were unaware of Tuchel’s attendance. Adding that they would have gladly invited him to the VIP area.
Tuchel, set to start his England tenure in January 2025, opted to witness top-tier futsal action between the two-time UEFA Futsal Champions League winners and the Copa Libertadores champions. Over 4,000 fans joined him, cheering as the Balearic team triumphed over the Brazilian squad, with futsal legend Falcao in attendance as ambassador. Tuchel has openly discussed how Pep Guardiola, influenced by his own futsal studies while at Barcelona, shaped his tactical approach, particularly in managing tight spaces and creating offensive and defensive superiority.
notable coach
Another notable coach, Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni, has also long been drawn to Palma Futsal’s matches. Scaloni, who lives in Mallorca, attended the 2002 League final with one of his children wearing Palma’s pistachio green jersey. Celebrating their historic qualification for the top European competition. He’s regularly seen at games and, in April 2023, shared his admiration at the UEFA Champions League Final Four draw, praising futsal’s close ties to soccer tactics, especially in using the goalkeeper to create numerical superiority.
RCD Mallorca’s coach, Jagoba Arrasate, is also a Palma Futsal supporter, attending the team’s October 17 victory over Servigroup Peñíscola in the First Division League. After winning Palma Futsal’s fourth club title, Antonio Vadillo, the coach of Illes Balears Palma Futsal, commented on the team’s success. Noting that while they have yet to secure a national title, their two Champions League and two Intercontinental Cup wins in 2023 and 2024 are extraordinary accomplishments. “We must appreciate these victories,” said Vadillo, “as time will only increase their significance.”
