The Cosmos technical staff, with head coach Giovanni Savarese third from the left (Photo courtesy of the Cosmos)
The Cosmos announced their technical staff Wednesday.
Goalkeeper coach Guillermo Valencia and fitness coach, Luis Gutierrez have signed contract extensions with the North American Soccer League club. Luke Sassano will continue serving as technical director and Jack Gaeta as director of team operations.
Alberto Gallego has joined the staff as first assistant coach.
Two assistant coaches from the 2016 season have moved on — Carlos Llamosa, who has joined the New England Revolution staff, and Alecko Eskandarian.
Gallego joined the Cosmos after serving as general manager and sporting director of now-defunct Rayo OKC, where he was instrumental to help the team clinch a spot in last year’s NASL semifinals.
“I am very excited to join the reigning NASL champions and would like to thank Gio and the Cosmos organization for bringing me as first assistant coach,” Gallego said in a statement. “Gio and I share very similar ideas about the game, which will make my transition seamless. I look forward to starting the season and help the Cosmos bring joy to its fans.”
The Barcelona, Spain native served as sporting director assistant for La Liga 123’s Rayo Vallecano and coached EFAC Almacellas in Spain, where he obtained one championship and the promotion to Division 3. Gallego secured a championship as head coach of UD Benabarre, a title that awarded the team promotion to Division 3 for the first time since the club was founded in 1942.
“Alberto’s work ethic and international experience from his career in Europe, and more recently Rayo OKC will greatly benefit the organization,” Cosmos head coach and sporting director Giovanni Savarese said in a press release. “We are excited to begin working with him and our returning coaching staff to put together the best possible team for the 2017 season.”
Valencia, Sassano and Gaeta have been part of the technical staff since the club rebooted in 2013, helping the team win three NASL Championships in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Gutierrez joined the Cosmos in 2015, after serving Spanish clubs at the Third and Second B division levels. He also worked with the 2015 Cosmos B side that won the National Premier Soccer League championship.
The Cosmos when they travel to Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium to take on Puerto Rico FC March 25. They will host Miami FC in their home opener at MCU Park aturday, april 1 at 7 p.m.
