About Carlos

Carlos Antón is a Spanish professional soccer coach who obtained the UEFA Pro Licence in 2010 at the age of just 24 years old.
Despite his young age he has over seventeen years of experience both as Head Coach and in Senior Management positions (Head of Coaching & Academy Manager) in Spain and England, working for Real Madrid CF, Málaga CF and Bristol City FC.

In September 2016, The Hong Kong Football Association recruited Carlos as Elite Development Coach, a key role for the Hong Kong Football Development Plan, deputy to the Technical Director, being responsible of leading the redevelopment of the Football National Curriculum as well assisting the Senior and U23 National Teams, Coach Education and providing advice to clubs. In 2018 Carlos was promoted to Head of Youth National Teams and U23 team Head Coach, leading the team during the AFC Qualifiers.

The latest step on Carlos’ career came in October 2020 joining the Kuwait Football Association as Senior & Olympic team coach.

More than 25 players coached by Carlos are now involved in elite professional football. Between them we can find Champions League Winners and World Cup appearances like Morata, Koke and Carvajal among others.

Education:

  • UEFA Pro Licence
  • MSC in Sport Psychology
  • BA in Sports & Sciences

Complementary Education:

  • FA Youth Models Award
  • Coerver Instructor
17 years as Head Coach
11 years in Senior Management roles
13 years in Professional Phase
+ 700

Matches Managed

+ 3200

Training Sessions Delivered

+ 1300

Matches Watched

Coaching Experience

BIO

2021
2021-Present

THE HONG KONG FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Technical Director

2020-2021

KUWAIT FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Senior & Olympic national team coach

2020
2018-2020

THE HONG KONG FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Head of Youth National Teams

U23 National Team Head Coach

Senior National Team Coach

2018
2016-2018

THE HONG KONG FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Elite Development Coach

Senior & U23 Team Coach

2016
2016-2016

San Roque de Lepe (Spanish Third Tier)

First Team Manager

2015-2016

DERBY COUNTY FC (Championship, England)

First Team Opposition Analyst Consultant

2015
2013 – 2015

Bristol City FC (Championship, England)

U18 Head Coach U23 Coach

2013
2011 - 2013

Malaga CF (La Liga, Spain)

Director of Coaching

U19s Manager (Runners-up)

U18s Manager (League Champions)

2011
2009 - 2011

Real Madrid CF (La Liga, Spain)

Scout

2009 - 2011

UD San Sebastian de los Reyes (2ºB Division, Spain)

Head of Youth Coaching & Recruitment

U19s Manager (Runners-up)

U18s Manager (Runners-up)

2009
2007 - 2009

Madrid’s Regional Team (Spain)

U16s Coach (3rd position Spain’s Cup & Fair Play Award)

2003 - 2009

Las Rozas CF (3º Division, Spain)

Second Team Manager (3rd position)

First Team Coach

Foundation Lead Phase Coach (U8s to U12s)

U12s Manager (3rd position)

U10s Manager (League Champions)

U8s Manager (League Runners-up)

U14s Coach

Coach Educator Experience

Carlos’ career has been predominantly focused as Head Coach or Director of Coaching. In addition, has experience as Coach Educator and several experiences in other forums such as Universities and International Conventions:

  • COACH INSTRUCTOR

Hong Kong Football Association. 2016 – Currently

  • LECTURER in “XIX Soccer Seminar”

European University of Madrid. Madrid, Spain. February-2016.

  • CLINICIAN in the “75th Anniversary of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Convention”

NSCAA. Baltimore, EEUU. January-2016.

  • CLINICIAN in “Comparison of coaching methodology in the Spanish, South American and English Football Academies”.

European University Miguel de Cervantes. Madrid, Spain. June-2015

  • TEACHER in the Master´s degree “Detection and Development of Talent in Football”.

Real Madrid CF – European University of Madrid University School. Madrid, Spain. 2011-2013

  • VOLUNTEER COACH in “Much More Than Football”.

Madrid and Malaga State Prisons. Spain. 2010-2012.

Talent Identification & Scouting Experience

Recruitment is a key element in any sports. Carlos has also been heavily involved with Talent ID in the following roles. This department also has been an important part in Carlos’ career:

  • Performance Analysis Hong Kong National team.Opposition Analysis Reports for the Senior/U23 team during EAFF and  Asian Cup.
  • Opposition Analysis Consultant for Derby County FC:

Opposition Analysis Reports for the First Team.

  • 2 years experience as Malaga CF Head of Coaching:

Coaching staff Recruitment.

  • 2 years experience as Real Madrid CF scout:

Academy Players Recruitment from U8s to U21s

  • 2 years experience as Head of Youth Recruitment at UD San Sebastián de los Reyes.

Youth Players & Coaching staff Recruitment.

  • 2 years experience as U16s Madrid Regional Team Assistant.

Recruitment of the selected squad for the National Championship.

Consultant

Player Development

Each club, country, organization got his own unique challenges and strengths and weaknesses.

Carlos has a comprehensive understanding of player development and can provide solutions by designing tailored programs to meet your goals.

  • Player identification and Scouting
  • National/Club Player Framework and Pathway
  • National Teams
  • Performance Sciences Programm
  • Club, Academies and School Programms.
Strategic Planning

National teams, Coach Education, Player Development, Competition structures and regulations must be managed astutely. Therefore the maximisation of resources is vital if plans and objectives are to be achieved.

The alignment of all the bodies from the National Association to players and coaches passing from Regional associations and clubs is a key factor in the design and delivery of a long term strategic plan.

Carlos has experience from grassroots to professional football having coached all groups in different countries. This wide picture enables Carlos to provide strategic support for:

  • Talent Identification and Scouting.
  • National Player Development Framework and Pathway.
  • National Teams.
  • Coach Education
  • Performance Sciences.
  • Residential Academies.
  • National, Regional and Local Academies, Club and Schools Programmes.
Coach Education

Investing in Education is a pillar in any long term project. More coaches, better coaches, better players.

Carlos has a multidisciplinary education, including UEFA Pro License and a Bachelor’s in Sport & Sciences and a Master’s in Sport Psychology. These experiences are a vast coaching experience and also a teaching background in university forums and international conventions.

Carlos can provide support designing, implementing and delivering programmes to develop Coaches at all levels. Guiding them to find the answers to why, how, where, when and what through:

  • Coach Education Programs.
  • Residential Courses.
  • Tailored courses and seminars for organizations.
  • Seminars, Conventions & Conferences.
Talent Identification & Scouting

With several years experience in players & staff recruitment, coaching and tactical consultancy Carlos can provide your organization expert advice on the different of this area:

  • Selection criteria
  • Observation skills
  • Recruitment protocols
  • Reporting and sharing information
  • Scouting staff
  • Networking
Coach Mentoring

Need some extra support? Would like to give the next step in your career?

  • Expert guidance and feedback
  • Video Analyisis: training session, team performance, comunication during games, etc.
  • Support in curriculum design and coaching phylosophy.
  • Support in squad and players management.
  • Coaching Session Resources: tailored plans & specific contents methodological progession.
Player Mentoring

Need some extra support? Would like to boost your performance and development?

  • Expert guidance and feedback.
  • Video analysis: matches and training sessions.
  • Complementary and individual training sessions.
  • Sport Psychology support.
Performance Analysis

Thanks to technology advances the potential of performance analysis has grown exponentially during the last decade. To achieve a top quality and efficient development process is essential to have a well-customised and meaningful method based on factual data and expert subjective analysis to evaluate and identify strength and weaknesses of:

  • Individual performances
  • Own team´s performance
  • Opposition team´s performance
  • Training programme effectiveness
  • Data Analysis

Testimonials

During my time in Spain working as scout for Everton FC the playing style of Carlos´s team, Malaga CF U19 caught my attention so I started to follow his work closely.

Two years later I re-joined back Bristol City FC and I was able to hire Carlos as U18s Manager. He soon put his stamp on his team and results arrived quickly, with Carlos guiding the team to their best ever FA Youth Cup finish. Before the season ended nine U18s player pushed up to the U21s and signed professional contracts.

Recruiting Carlos was a clear success. As person he showed to be a tireless hard worker, with a strong personality, honest and loyal personality. As coach Carlos is passionate and methodical, constantly innovating without straying from the game´s nature. He is a great leader with the capacity to develop players within winning team.

Brian Tinnion
Brian TinnionClub Ambassador - Bristol City FC

I worked with Carlos in two different stages in Las Rozas CF, a club which  is a reference in Madrid region. The first of them as as head coach, he is methodic, got an excellent group management and really competitive character. In fact, he achieved succes which hardly will be achieved again; the second one as first team coach providing to the technical staff his deep tactical knowledge and capacity to run the coaching in daily bases; and the third one as Foundation Lead Phase Coach developing and showing his high capacity to minimize the problems and resolve them. In short, my experience shared with Carlos is highly satisfactory and I am pleased to share it.

Roberto Martínez
Roberto MartínezFormer Academy Head of Recruitment & Player Development - Real Madrid CF

Carlos coached me during a key moment of my development. He was so young for the role he was doing at this time but you could see his potential and deep knowledge in tactics and coaching methodology. For that reason, I am not surprised of what he has achieved until the present. I do have a great remember of this time with him and took lots of learning from him.

Pablo Sarabia
Pablo SarabiaProfessional Soccer Player - PSG FC (Ligue 1, France) & Spanish International

Carlos is a great coach who coached me when I played for the U14 Madrid Selection Team. He is very ambitious and professional in every aspect of the game. He is always learning new techniques to improve the development of the players as well as their decision-making process.

Nacho Maganto
Nacho MagantoProfessional Soccer Player - LA Galaxy (MLS)

Carlos coached me during two seasons in Málaga CF Academy. He always helped me a lot with my development. He showed me that he trusted me 100% and it made all much easier. He is a really approchable coach and creates a close and strong relationship with the player obtaining the best of each player.

Juanpi Añor
Juanpi AñorProfessional Soccer Player - Malaga CF (La Liga) & Venezuelan International

Carlos coached me when I was U16 in Madrid Selection Team. He is a great coach and above all a good person who helped me a lot on my growth as player to become the player who I am currently. I am sure that with his knowledge he will be one the greatest. I hope all goes as he planned it and I wish him the best wherever he goes.

Cedrick Mabwati
Cedrick MabwatiProfessional Footballer - Columbus Crew SC (MLS)

I am glad and really enjoyed having the opportunity of working with such professional as Carlos. As coach I learnt a lot from Carlos on different aspects of the game like coaching, analysis and management. I really appreciate all what he did for Hong Kong football. I will make use of it to develop other coaches in Hong Kong, same that Carlos did for me.

Cheung Kin Fung
Cheung Kin FungHong Kong Football Association – Coach & Former senior team player

I worked with Carlos when he was an assistant coach of the Hong Kong U23 representative team. He is a good coach to give me many valuable advice and help me to improve my understand of the game related to my position. With the help of Carlos, I become successful in the coming years. I got promoted to the Hong Kong Senior representative team. Thanks to the vulnerable time with Carlos, I continue to progress as a professional player and joined the GuangZhou R&F Football Club which is in the Chinese Super League.

Tan Chun Lok
Tan Chun LokProfessional Soccer Player Guangzhou R&F (SL China) & Hong Kong International

I find difficult to sum up in words the admiration and affection I feel for Carlos, whom I met in his university career first year as his teacher of Psychology during two years. I continued sharing his learning, many of them in and other out the classroom until he finished the master’s degree and later until today, following his path and enjoying with his succeses as much as himself. From his beginning as a student I would highlight his motivation, interest, concern in learning and his determination to, not only dare to dream but to make every effort to work for achieving his dreams.

I think that each and everyone of his decisions, are accompanied by the passion that characterize he, but all of them have a sense, a goal. I’ve seen him grow and mature and he never gives up. I think that better than many people, he has understood that the obstacles are only to pass them and learn from them. Carlos is better every day, for his dedication and commitment with what he does and with the people he works with, in the personal and as well in the profesional side.

Iciar Eraña
Iciar ErañaPh.D. in Psychology - European University of Madrid

I appointed Carlos as Elite Development Coach for Hong Kong Football Association in 2017 a strategical role to raise Hong Kong football standards performing duties like updating the National curriculum or developing coaches and players.  Soon he gained everybody’s respect as he is top quality coach. Due to his deep knowledge in tactics, analysis, periodization and coaching methods I requested him to join the National Senior Team coaching staff assisting me with the U23 and senior squad on analysis, planning and also delivering, where he showed us being a passionate and proactive professional who quickly engage staff and players and a specialist in coaching Set Pieces. His appointment was clearly successful even over my initial expectations so I am happy to share it.

Kim Pan-Gon
Kim Pan-GonSouth Korea Football Association - Technical Director

Carlos presentation at the NSCAA Convention was well received by the coaches in attendance and displayed his remarkable skills at communicating with players and coaches, to convey a clear understanding of his training philosophy and methods.

Joe Cummings
Joe CummingsFormer CEO - National Soccer Coaches Association of America

I know Carlos since he was a youth player, in fact I even had him in one of my changing romos as player, I saw his coaching beginnings, and finally I had him as student in the Level 5 course in 2010. In which, being one of the youngest of this promotion, he showed a big capacity and abilities. Proof of this, his career and the several successes achieved within it, despite his young age. Currently he keeps showing the same learning interest and self-development ambition, attending to all education events in the UK and Spain. These are the reason because of I am convinced that his career will carry on in the same upward progression.

Eduardo Caturla
Eduardo CaturlaFormer President of Soccer Coaches Association of Spain - Spanish FA

Carlos invited me to Malaga and also organised visits to Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano for me. The organisation logistically was excellent. The main reason for my trip was to observe Carlos coach and gain an insight into his methodology and philosophy. What I saw was a very intelligent coach with a clear philosophy on how he see’s the game backed up with excellent knowledge and detail which enables Carlos to execute this with his players. A great learning experience for me from a excellent coach and fantastic person.

Darren Bowman
Darren BowmanFormer U15s Coach - Manchester City FC

I am fortunate to have shared with Carlos the UEFA Coaching Courses where I found out how much he loves and studies the game. And also worked for he in Málaga CF, he was a Head of Coaching who inspired me through an approchable but demading professional relationship.

Javier Morán
Javier MoránTechnical Director - NK Istra 1961

I worked with Carlos for 3 years at the Hong Kong FA. During that time Carlos’ methodical and detailed approach helped to lead a new generation of local coaches and youth national team players. Carlos took a lead role in developing the HKFA National Football Curriculum and delivered a fantastic document that ensured he left a legacy for the future generation of players and coaches. As a colleague, Carlos is meticulous and detail minded and was a pleasure to work with.

Samuel Bensley
Samuel Bensley Elite Development Coach – Hong Kong Football Association

Carlos and I worked together at the HKFA when he was the Elite Development Coach and Academy Manager. He brought with him a great blend of football knowledge and styles having already had a good range of international experience. People in Hong Kong took to Carlos quickly not just because of his knowledge but also because of his organisational skills and passion for the game. His technical expertise was recognised by our Head Coach and soon he was asked to run coaching sessions for our international youth and senior teams. I would have no hesitation in recommending Carlos.

Mark Sutcliffe
Mark SutcliffeHong Kong Football Association – former CEO

Press & Media

Posts

Lecture in European University of Madrid "XIX Soccer Seminar "

Last Tuesday, I got the pleasure of coming back to the European University of Madrid, where I realised my Sports & Sciences Degree. The reason of this visit was the invitation from the Football professor, María Teresa Gómez, to participate…

Demo Field Session at 2016 NSCAA Convention in Baltimore

Yesterday I delivered the first presentation in the NSCAA Convention. A practical session with the title "Soccer-Chess" - Positional play and overloads through the thirds. The session was a methodological progression of three drills, when…

Launching carlos-anton.com and blog presentation

Hello Soccer World and welcome to my personal blog! I hope you've had a great seasonal holiday and started the year as you wished. You are reading the first post of my blog. No better way to start that launching my personal website www.carlos-anton.com,…

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