John Kaloukian is not only the father but also the manager of forward Nicholas Kaloukian, who recently received his first call-up to the Armenian national team.
The 22-year-old striker has been called up for Armenia’s matches against Georgia in the UEFA Nations League play-offs, scheduled for March 20 and 23.
In an exclusive interview with Sportaran.com, John spoke about his son's football journey, his transfer to Urartu, his first impressions of Armenian football, and the significance of playing for the national team. He also shared the story of his family, their Armenian roots, and how the love for Armenia has been passed down from generation to generation.
— How did Nicholas end up at Urartu? Tell us more about this transfer.
— The most important thing to know is that Nicholas really wanted to play in Europe. It was his dream. When we received an offer from Urartu, we also had opportunities from MLS clubs for him to play in the MLS Next Pro league with reserve teams. But we decided to pass on those opportunities, and instead he went to Dubai for a trial with Urartu FC. As his father and as his manager since his early years, I ultimately felt that his best future would be at Urartu. There, he would have the chance to prove himself and possibly play for the Armenian national team, because representing the national team has been his long-time dream.
— How comfortable is Kaloukian playing in Armenia, so far from home? The football style here is also quite different.
— Being so far from home is never easy for a close family. But this is to be expected in the life of a footballer. Furthermore, Nicholas has played in many countries, attended training camps, and participated in various football programs over the years in England, Germany, Italy, Denmark, and Spain. He trained at the academies of Real Madrid and Barcelona. So, playing far from home is nothing new to him, and he is familiar with different styles of play. Besides, he traveled to Dubai, saw the level of Urartu’s game and their playing model, and really liked it.
— What was Nicholas’s reaction when he learned about his call-up to the Armenian national team?
— He felt an incredible sense of pride and excitement. And, our whole family was overjoyed. Nicholas was absolutely ecstatic, and felt it was like a dream come true. The thing is, he grew up with a deep love for Armenia. Nicholas was very close to his grandparents, who taught him a lot about Armenia and its history. He is incredibly proud of this call-up.
On top of that, these will be very tough and important matches, not just friendlies, so earning this honor means a lot. But he is fully ready to play and wants to score goals to help Armenia be successful. However, for him, above all, he knows this will be an invaluable experience.
Kaloukian's first training session with the Armenian national team
— You are Nicholas’s manager. What does your role involve?
— I founded Next Level Sports Concierge to help young athletes develop and advance their careers. My first client was Nicholas. I did this so that he wouldn’t be distracted from football. There are so many distractions for good players these days—media, advertising companies, various solicitations from agents, and more. Everyone tries to contact the player, offering something, and this can take focus away from the most important thing—football.
I handle all of that for Nicholas: advertising, promotion, sponsorship opportunities, communication and business affairs. A young athlete can be very trusting, so it’s better to have someone managing all of these aspects. I oversee his social media, salary, and marketing.
I provide young athletes with honest, unbiased feedback, guidance, and advice—insights they often can’t get from parents or coaches. My goal is to help them navigate their journey with clarity and the right opportunities.
— Can you tell us more about your family?
— Besides Next Level Sports Concierge, I also have a consulting company, Yessayi Group, which I named after my father.
My father, Yessayi, and my mother, Rosine Kaloukian, were originally from Beirut, Lebanon. They got married in Lebanon and had two daughters, Seta and Ani, before moving to the United States. My father wanted to start a new life and secure a better future for his family. He believed that a decent future in Lebanon was no longer possible, so he made the difficult decision to leave his home and country to move to the U.S. They arrived in the U.S. in 1967 and settled in a town in New Jersey. I was born in the U.S. two years later, in 1969. My parents raised us in Wayne, New Jersey, about an hour’s drive from New York City.
My father passed away in December 2014… and my mother recently passed away in July 2024.
We grew up in the United States in a very Armenian family. For example, even though I was born in the U.S., my first language was Armenian. And to this day, I speak Armenian fluently.
My parents instilled in us a strong sense of Armenian heritage and pride, and we, in turn, have done the same with our children. In fact, they passed on their love for Armenian culture, history, and traditions to all seven of their grandchildren. Nicholas was very close to my father and mother.
Nicholas with father and grandfather
My wife, Christy, although not Armenian (she was born in America with Irish and German roots), was very close to her parents as well as to mine. Through them, she learned to understand and love many Armenian traditions. She and our children were surrounded by many Armenian relatives and family members in New Jersey.
We have been married for 28 years and have three wonderful grown children. For us, family is the most important thing.
Nicholas has an older sister and a younger sister:
Megan — 24 years old
Nicholas — 22 years old
Elizabeth — 18 years old
All three of our children love their Armenian heritage. In their childhood, they attended Armenian school part-time for many years and participated in Armenian church camps every year. And they have all visited Armenia at least once.
Read more:
Nicholas Kaloukian: New Forward for the Armenian National Team