World leaders in elite soccer and sport
A top community of sports science researchers and professionals with international elite club experience
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Aaron Coutts
Currently
Aaron Coutts is a Professor at the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. He is a world-class researcher in Sports Science. He is a member of the International Advisory Board of the Nike© Research Laboratory and an associate editor of several journals including the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance and Science and Medicine in Football.
Trajectory
His professional and research activity is particularly focused on training load control, altitude/heat training and the physiological demands of competition in both soccer and Australian soccer. He has developed the scientific knowledge that is currently applied (worldwide) in training load control in soccer. His professional activity as a consultant or performance manager includes several professional soccer, Australian soccer and rugby teams. He was also head of the Sports Science Department at Carlton Football Club (Australia).
Borja Lasso
At the moment
Borja Lasso is a former Spanish footballer who played as a midfielder. After retiring from professional football, Borja Lasso holds a position in the sports management of Cádiz CF, where he is in charge of the management and sports planning of the club, contributing to the development and strengthening of its structure. Professional Career
Lasso began his career in the lower ranks of Sevilla FC, and throughout his career he played for teams such as Sevilla Atlético, Osasuna, and Tenerife. Since his retirement, he has been involved in the executive side of football, contributing his experience and knowledge to the development of the Cádiz CF squad.
Language
Sevilla FC, Osasuna SAD, CD Tenerife
Carlos Marchena
Currently
Carlos Marchena is a former footballer and current Spanish coach, renowned for his successful career as a midfielder for renowned teams. After hanging up his boots, Marchena has entered the world of training and sports management, focusing on the development of young talents and teaching football methodology.
Professional Career
Marchena played for clubs such as Sevilla FC, Valencia CF and Villarreal, as well as being capped by the Spanish national team, with whom he won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup. Since his retirement, he has worked in various capacities within football, including coaching and technical advisor roles. His focus on training and continuous improvement has led him to collaborate with sporting projects both in Spain and abroad.
Language
Sevilla FC, Villarreal CF, Valencia CF, Selección Española de Fútbol
Filippo Picinini
Currently
Filippo Picinini is Head of Late-Stage Rehabilitation and Sport Science at Isokinetic Medical Group and a PhD candidate at St Mary's University, Twickenham, where he focuses on workload management and neuromuscular/functional assessment of professional and non-professional footballers during the late-stage rehabilitation and return to sport process following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery. Throughout his career, Picinini has developed a strong expertise in the rehabilitation and reconditioning of athletes, with a particular focus on preparation for return to sport.
Professional Career
Since 2018, Picinini has held various roles at Isokinetic Medical Group, where he is currently Head of Late-Stage Rehabilitation and Sport Science. In this role, he provides return-to-sport services for professional and non-professional athletes, using advanced tools such as motion analysis (Vicon Nexus), strength platforms (AMTI), isokinetic dynamometry and inertial sensors. In addition, he manages athletes' workloads using GPS technology during rehabilitation and utilizes his expertise in data processing and analysis through Excel and Power BI. Previously, Picinini completed an internship and traineeship training between Isokinetic clinics in Milan, London and Bologna, focusing on neuromuscular training programs and sport-specific rehabilitation.
Francesco Cuzzolin
Currently
Francesco Cuzzolin is a renowned sports performance specialist, serving as Head of Performance at Olimpia Milano since August 2021, where he leads the players' physical preparation strategies. In addition, since 2019, he is a professor at the Università degli Studi di Udine , where he teaches Theory and Methodology of Training in Team Sports.
Professional Career
Cuzzolin has also worked as Director of Performance at Universo Treviso Basketball since January 2020, contributing to the physical and sporting development of the players. Throughout his career, he has worked with several top-level teams, standing out for his comprehensive approach to physical performance.
Francesco Della Villa
Currently
Francesco Della Villa is the Director of the Education and Research Department at Isokinetic Medical Group, where he leads several initiatives related to optimizing the treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. With extensive experience in motion analysis, he has specialized in strategies to reduce secondary ACL injuries.
Professional Career
Della Villa has collaborated on educational and research projects worldwide, authoring numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters focused on the principles of return to play after severe knee injuries. He graduated as a Medical Doctor with a research project on “Predictors of medium-term outcome after ACL reconstruction” and completed his residency in Sports Medicine with a study on “Qualitative movement analysis as a predictor of a second ACL injury after reconstruction and return to play.”
Gari Fullaondo
Currently
Gari Fullaondo is a UEFA Pro coach and Sporting Director-CEO of Kimet Sport, a company specialising in sports methodological consultancy. He is also the CEO of "Kimet Planning", a football methodology development tool used by coaches and clubs around the world. Fullaondo is also a methodological advisor to the Spanish League (LaLiga) and the Coaches Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). He is dedicated to providing training courses in football methodology to coaches and physical trainers of the main international professional leagues.
Professional Career
Fullaondo was Director of Methodology at Athletic Club Bilbao, where he worked between 2007 and 2010, contributing to the development and improvement of the club's training processes. Throughout his career, he has worked with various clubs and federations around the world, applying his experience in the creation of high-level training programs that impact team performance. His focus on methodological innovation and the continuous training of coaches has allowed him to establish himself as a key figure in the evolution of football at a global level.
Language
Athletic Club
Igor Jukic
Currently
Igor Jukić is a strength and conditioning coach for the Croatian national U21 team and a university lecturer at the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Zagreb. He is recognised as an international specialist in high performance sports and physical conditioning.
Professional Career
With over 20 years of experience, Igor Jukić has been a pioneer in fitness in Europe, founding the Croatian Association of Fitness Coaches in 2003 and the European Fitness Association in 2006. He has worked with elite teams, including the Croatian national football team during the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016 qualifiers. In addition, he founded Biotrening Ltd. in 2011, focusing on high performance sports and health. His work has been published in over 200 articles related to sports science.
Language
Federación Croata de Fútbol
Ismael Fernandez
Currently
Ismael Fernandez is co-founder of ThermoHuman, a company specialized in the application of infrared thermography for the evaluation, prevention and monitoring of injuries and pathologies in the sports and health field. In his role, he leads the management and business development of the company, collaborating as an expert in thermography with high-level soccer teams such as Newcastle United, FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Valencia, Levante, Villarreal, Botafogo, Liverpool, Getafe and the German high performance center OSP. In addition, Fernandez is a university professor at the University Isabel I, where he was responsible for the subject "Injury Prevention" in the degree of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences.
Professional Career
Since 2015, Fernandez has combined his work at ThermoHuman with other outstanding professional experiences, such as his role as export manager at Podoactiva, a company specializing in biomechanics and custom insole manufacturing. He also served as a research associate at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia. His focus on technological innovation applied to sports health and his contribution to academia consolidate his expertise in the development of advanced methodologies for injury prevention and sports performance improvement.
Jack Nayler
Currently
Jack Nayler is Head of Sports Science for the first team at Everton FC. With extensive experience in elite teams, he specialises in optimising player performance, both physically and scientifically.
Professional Career
Throughout his career, Jack Nayler has worked with leading international clubs such as RB Leipzig, Celtic FC, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea FC, serving as a sports science and conditioning coach. His focus is on improving player performance through the integration of science and technology into training. He currently leads the sports science department at Everton, applying his experience in the physical preparation of top-level players.
Language
Chelsea FC, RB Leipzig, Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain, Celtic Football Club, Everton FC
Javier Mallo
Currently
Javier Mallo is a renowned Spanish Strength and Conditioning coach, with a distinguished career with some of the world's top teams, including Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City. After years of working at the elite level, Mallo is now dedicated to consulting and training in soccer, helping teams and coaches optimize players' physical performance.
Professional Career
Throughout his career, Mallo has worked as a fitness and sports performance specialist for renowned clubs, contributing to the success of their teams at national and international level. His focus is on improving physical condition, injury prevention and physical preparation of players. Now, as a soccer consultant, he continues to apply his vast experience to improve the performance and development of soccer players.
Language
Real Madrid, Manchester City FC, Atlético de Madrid
Jesus Botello
Currently
Jesús Botello is a sports analyst on Real Betis Balompié's Radio Televisión, where he has developed his own section, "Informe Botello", in which he carries out a detailed analysis of the rivals of the Seville team. His job consists of evaluating the virtues, points of improvement and individual and collective performance of the opponents, which has earned him a wide following in the field of sports scouting. In addition, Botello is a sports advisor at the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and a professor at the Andalusian Football Federation, where he also co-founded the Course on Sports Management and Scouting.
Professional Career
Since 2016, Botello has worked in the media as a sports analyst, standing out for his contribution to the tactical and strategic analysis of teams. He is a professor of tactics and technique in football and futsal at the RFEF, and co-founder of the Sports Management and Scouting course in collaboration with the Royal Andalusian Football Federation. His expertise in scouting and coaching is reflected in his training and educational work within football.
Language
Real Betis Balompié
Johan Lundberg
Currently
Johan Lundberg is a football fitness coach and coach educator at the Swedish Football Association (Svenska Fotbollförbundet). Since 2016, he has been working as a fitness coach for the national U20 team and as a football fitness educator at the UEFA A, DBA and Elite Youth licence levels. Lundberg is also responsible for the development of the fitness education route from D to professional level in Sweden, as well as leading the Elite Football Fitness project 2020-2023 and managing the national online football fitness network.
Professional Career
Lundberg has previously worked as a fitness coach at teams such as AIK Fotboll and most recently at Degerfors IF, where he oversaw the physical preparation of the men’s team, including performance testing, nutrition and load and wellness monitoring. His experience ranges from the physical preparation of youth teams to the implementation of physical development programmes at professional levels.
Language
Federación Sueca de Fútbol
José Fabregat
Currently
José Fabregat is a spinal specialist and neurosurgeon with an outstanding career in the field of medicine. Throughout his career, he has focused on the diagnosis and treatment of spinal diseases and injuries, applying his extensive experience in advanced surgical techniques and non-invasive treatments to improve the quality of life of his patients.
Professional Career
José Fabregat has worked in numerous renowned medical centres and hospitals, where he has developed a solid reputation for treating spinal disorders. His experience includes performing complex spinal surgeries, as well as participating in various research and scientific collaborations within his field.
Mar Rovira
Currently
Mar Rovira is a leading professional in the field of mental performance in sport. She is a founding partner of themove , a company she has run since October 2019. In addition, since September 2023 she has held the position of Head of Mental Performance Department at RCD Espanyol, where she leads the mental performance department for the first team and men's reserve team, designing work programs and coordinating sports psychologists.
Professional Career
Rovira has also been a member of the ELPA Performance Advisory Board since 2020, advising on improving the professional lives of players. She is also a university professor at Tecnocampus and a sports psychologist at Euroleague Basketball.
Language
RCD Espanyol
Maria Pry
Currently
María Pry is a Spanish football coach who currently works as the coach of Real Betis Féminas. With a successful career in women's football, she has stood out for her ability to manage teams and her focus on the development of players, achieving positive results both nationally and internationally.
Professional Career
Before her time at Real Betis Féminas, María Pry was the coach of Levante UD Femenino, a position she held from June 2019 to June 2020. During her time at the Valencian club, she was in charge of leading the team in various competitions, improving their performance and standing out for her tactical and strategic approach. Her experience and leadership have consolidated her as one of the most important figures in Spanish women's football.
Language
Real Betis Balompié
Marko Matusinskij
Currently
Marko Matušinskij is a sports scientist and fitness coach working in various sports organisations. He currently holds key roles as a trainer at the Croatian Football Federation, where he teaches classes on sports performance, and as a fitness coach for the Croatian U21 national team, where he focuses on improving the fitness and performance of young players. In addition, he is a performance scientist and consultant at Ultrax, providing advice in areas such as injury prevention and athletic development to teams and individual athletes.
Professional Career
Matušinskij started his professional career in the field of fitness and sports science, holding roles in different teams and organisations. Currently, he is also a strength and conditioning coach at WFC Dinamo Zagreb, where he develops training programmes, performance monitoring and injury prevention strategies for the women's team.
Language
Federación Croata de Fútbol
Nicolás Terrados
Currently
Nicolás Terrados is a specialist in Physical Education and Sports Medicine. He currently holds the position of Director of the Regional Sports Medicine Unit of the Principality of Asturias, where he supervises and coordinates specialized medical care programs for athletes in the region. His focus is on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries, as well as on improving the physical performance of athletes.
Professional Career
Throughout his career, Terrados has combined his academic knowledge and clinical experience to advise high-performance athletes, contributing with his research and work to improve health and sports performance. He has also taught at various institutions and has collaborated with sports federations, being a leading figure in sports medicine in Spain.
Nuria Ligero
Currently
Nuria Ligero is the captain of Real Betis Féminas, where she has established herself as a key member of the team. Recognised for her leadership on and off the pitch, Ligero is a player of great experience and commitment, standing out in defence and as a role model for her teammates.
Professional Career
Throughout her career, Nuria Ligero has been a standout player for several clubs in Spain's Primera División Femenina, gaining recognition for her professionalism and ability to influence matches. Her leadership skills led her to become captain of Real Betis Féminas, where she has guided the team through various national and international competitions.
Language
Real Betis Balompié
Rocco Perrotta
Currently
Rocco Perrotta is the Head of Performance at Empoli FC, a position he has held since July 2017. In this role, Perrotta leads the development and implementation of physical performance strategies to optimise the performance of the team's players.
Professional Career
Prior to his arrival at Empoli, Perrotta worked at several top clubs in Europe. He was Head of Performance at PFK Levski Sofia between January 2016 and June 2017, and also held this role with the Bulgarian national football team during 2015. He has also worked at other clubs such as AEL Limassol FC and PFC CSKA Sofia, where he played a key role in the physical preparation and performance of the players.
Language
Empoli FC
Sam Thompson
Currently
Sam Thompson is a sports performance nutritionist. He currently works as Performance Nutritionist at Celtic Football Club, a role he took up in July 2024. He is also currently pursuing his PhD at the University of the West of Scotland, where he is researching the nutritional profile of elite youth football players.
Professional Career
Thompson began his career in sports nutrition in 2018, providing tailored services to athletes. His experience includes being Academy Nutritionist at Celtic FC from 2020-2023, where he was responsible for nutritional planning for the club’s young footballers.
Language
Celtic Football Club
Xavier Monasterio
Currently
Xabier Monasterio has been a physiotherapist at Athletic Club since December 2022, where he is responsible for the assessment and rehabilitation of injuries related to the growth and maturation of players. He also works as an associate professor at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), where he shares his experience and knowledge in physiotherapy.
Professional Career
Monasterio began her career in the academic field, where she completed her PhD at the UPV/EHU in 2022, focusing on the rehabilitation of growth-related injuries. After completing her studies, she has combined her work as a physiotherapist at Athletic Club with her teaching work, contributing to the training of new physiotherapy professionals.
Language
Athletic Club