Armada FC Head Coach Guillermo Hoyos Signs Contract Extension Through 2019
The Jacksonville Armada FC announced on Tuesday head coach Guillermo Hoyos has been signed to a contract extension through the 2019 North American Soccer League Fall Season. Per club policy, terms of the agreement are not disclosed.
“We are extremely fortunate to be able to sign Guillermo through the 2019 season,” said Armada FC owner Mark Frisch. “The quality of his coaching and training sessions is first class. It is a huge competitive advantage for us to have consistency at the head coaching position for five years. We all know he brings a great style of soccer with him. I am very much looking forward to seeing our players develop and getting more comfortable in our system. Above all that though, is the man. Guillermo is a fantastic human being, and the more time I spend around him, the more obvious it is. I look forward to spending more time with him during his tenure with our club, which I hope is a long time. Finally, I look forward to many championship celebrations together.”
Under Hoyos’ guidance, the Armada immediately made themselves a contender in the NASL, something not easy for an expansion side. Jacksonville stayed in contention for the Spring Season title up until the ninth week and finished in sixth place with a 3-3-4 (W-D-L) record and 12 points.
The Armada became well-known for their fierce, possession-based attack, finishing tied for third with most goals scored (15), second for most shots attempted (75) and winning the possession battle in eight of their 10 league games. Hoyos had two players – Alhassane Keita and Pascal Millien – named NASL Player of the Week during the season, and Armada players were named to the NASL Team of the Week five weeks out of the 11-week Spring Season.
"Guillermo is the perfect person to execute the vision Mark and I had for the Armada from day one to build an attack-minded, possession-oriented, goal-scoring powerhouse,” said Armada FC general manager Darío Sala. “Not only does this extension demonstrate our owner’s commitment to the city of Jacksonville, it also provides the consistency and continuity needed to continue to grow and improve our club. Guillermo is an amazing coach and developer of talent. He’s an integral part of the long-term plans of this organization, and I'm confident he will lead the Armada FC to a championship. Most importantly, he shares our philosophy of bringing top-flight athletes to our club, players who are even better people off the field and share our focus on the community."
The Armada capped off their inaugural spring on June 13 by scoring more goals against Spring Season Champions New York Cosmos (3) than any other team and were the only team to set foot on the Cosmos' home turf and hand New York a result other than a win, recording a 3-3 draw.
Hoyos came to Jacksonville to serve as the club’s co-head coach in January and was officially named head coach in June immediately following the conclusion of the NASL Spring Season.
“The trust and confidence that Mark and Dario are demonstrating to me is a great honor,” Hoyos said. “I want to thank all of the players for their hard work and dedication. We know how demanding it is to play this style of soccer, both physically and mentally, and they continue to give it their all both on and off the field. I also want to thank our loyal fans because they're always there for us to support the team. They reward our efforts by making us feel so appreciated. On a personal note, I want to express my love for the great city of Jacksonville. The people here have truly embraced me and have made me feel at home. I'm proud to officially call myself one of you.”
Hoyos’ prior coaching experience includes Spanish national youth league championships in 2003-04 and 2004-05 as head coach of FC Barcelona B from 2001-05, where he played a key role in developing Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi.
Hoyos has also coached in Cyprus, Greece and Argentina. Hoyos moved on to coach Aris of the Greek Super League in 2006-07 prior to moving on to Greek Super League club Atromitos in 2007-08. He also coached Greek clubs PAS Giannina, Panserraikos and Anorthosis Famagusta before making the move to Bolivia’s First Division for the 2011-12 season, where he led Club Bolivar to the knockout stage of Copa Libertadores, something that had not been done in 12 years.
Hoyos moved on to Colombian First Division side Once Caldes in 2012-13 before returning to Greece for the 2013-14 season to lead Iraklis 1908 to a promotion to the Greek Super League. He was most recently technical director for Argentina Torneo A side Talleres de Cordoba.
The Córdoba, Argentina, native had a 19-year playing career that began with his debut as a 16-year-old in 1978 with Argentinian Primera Division side CA Banfield. A member of Argentina’s National Team and 1980 Argentina Olympic Team, Hoyos also played in Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Spain and Venezuela. He also played at Boca Juniors in Argentina from 1986-89 and won four Gold Cups along with the Copa Iberoamericana.
The Armada will begin the NASL Fall Season at 3 p.m. ET this Sunday in Ottawa, Ontario, to take on Fury FC, who played to a scoreless draw with the Armada on June 7 in Jacksonville.
