Antonio Fernandez Appointed Head Coach of Armenia Futsal Team

Significant personnel changes have taken place within the structure of the Armenia national futsal team. At the technical center of the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA), the official presentation of the new head coach was held — the team is now led by Spanish specialist Antonio Fernandez.

At the same time, long-time national team coach Ruben Nazaretyan left his position as head coach and took on a new role — he will now serve as the chief advisor to the president of the Football Federation of Armenia.

Nazaretyan’s New Role and FFA Strategic Plans

FFA President Armen Melikbekyan emphasized that the decision was a logical step after Nazaretyan’s 24 years of work within Armenian futsal. According to him, the specialist’s experience will now be used at a more strategic level, including the implementation of international projects.

Special attention is being given to an ambitious initiative — the creation of a football and futsal school in Armenia based on the Brazilian system. Negotiations on this project are already underway, and the Federation hopes to implement it in the coming years.

In addition, Nazaretyan’s influence on the European stage remains significant: he continues to work within UEFA structures, contributing to the development of futsal.

Nazaretyan himself noted that the decision to step down as head coach was made in advance — even before the start of the European Championship.

He summarized his many years of work, during which the Armenian national team progressed from its formation to participation in a continental championship, and expressed confidence that the team would maintain a high level under the new coach.

Fernandez: “Our Goal is the World Cup”

For Antonio Fernandez, working with the Armenian national team is not new experience: the specialist has already been part of the team’s system for several years.

He stated that the main task is the further development of the national team and the pursuit of qualification for the World Cup. According to him, the level of opponents and the perception of the Armenian team have changed noticeably — the team is now seen as a serious force in Europe.

First Training Camp and Focus on Youth

Immediately after his appointment, Fernandez began working: the team started a training camp from April 20 to April 25 in Yerevan.

A distinctive feature of the current camp is a focus on young players. The squad includes representatives from Yerevan clubs as well as promising players from foreign teams, including Russian and Georgian clubs.

The coaching staff intends to use the camp to evaluate the team’s immediate reserves, primarily in the context of preparation for the 2028 World Cup qualifying cycle.

Squad at the Training Camp:

• Suren Kazaryan – “Yerevan”
• Artem Mkrtchyan – “Yerevan”
• Artur Patatyan – “Yerevan”
• Agasi Yegiazaryan – “Yerevan”
• Artem Vardanyan – “Norilsk Nickel” (Russia)
• Ernest Badoyan – “Fakel YAMAL 2” (Russia)
• Artashes Muradyan – “Yerevan”
• Robert Mamikonyan – “Yerevan”
• Artur Stepanyan – “Fakel-YUKIOR” (Russia)
• Grigor Ayrapetyan – “Grant Avlabari” (Georgia)
• Erik Akopyan – “Yerevan”
• Karen Muradyan – “Yerevan”
• Vrezh Chiloyan – “Yerevan”
• Erik Lazaryan – “Yerevan”
• Alen Margaryan – “Yerevan”
• Ashot Yesayan – “Yerevan”
• Karen Davtyan – “Yerevan”
• Erik Margaryan – “Yerevan”