Cosmos Announce Technical Staff For 2017 Season
The New York Cosmos announced Wednesday that goalkeeper coach Guillermo Valencia and fitness coach Luis Gutierrez have signed contract extensions with the club. Furthermore, Luke Sassano will continue serving as technical director and Jack Gaeta as director of team operations. The club also announced that Alberto Gallego has joined the club as first assistant coach.
“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. “Gio and I share very similar ideas about the game, which will make my transition seamless. I look forward to starting the season and helping the Cosmos bring joy to its fans.”
Gallego joins the Cosmos after serving as general manager and sporting director of Rayo OKC, where he was instrumental to help the team clinch a spot in the 2016 NASL semifinals.
Prior to moving to the U.S., the Barcelona, Spain, native served as sporting director assistant for Rayo Vallecano and coached EFAC Almacellas in Spain, where he obtained one championship and the promotion to Division 3. Gallego also obtained 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 coach Giovanni Savarese said. “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 fivision level in Spain. He also worked with the 2015 Cosmos B side that won the National Premier Soccer League Championship.
