Atlético's Academy, a European benchmark in training
The Metropolitano became the epicenter of European youth football by hosting ninety representatives from clubs across the continent, invited by Atlético de Madrid’s Academy.
An unprecedented event, framed within the ECA’s ‘Academy Visit’ program, where the vision, strategy and methodology that drives the rojiblancos’ young promises were shared.
The initiative, coordinated by Laura Corfitz and Pouya Yaghoubinia from the ECA, seeks to promote collaboration and knowledge exchange between clubs, values intrinsic to Atlético’s philosophy.
Emilio Gutiérrez, director of the Academy, led the presentations together with other key figures, addressing sports, analysis, legal, methodological (football 7 and football 11) and individual training topics.
The successful integration of Atlético de Madrid Femenino into the Academy structure was detailed. LaLiga, represented by David García and Juan Florit, offered a global perspective of the panorama of Spanish youth teams and their evolution.
Spanish Under-21 coach Santi Denia, a rojiblanca legend and former youth coach, provided his vision on the growth of young talents. Óscar Mayo, General Manager of Revenue and Operations at Atlético, welcomed the participants at the Metropolitano and presented the ‘City of Sport’ as a pillar of the club’s future.
The second day included a visit to the Academy Residence, where they delved into the educational model, the ‘compliance’ area and child protection, with the intervention of Pilar Chavarria, the club’s Compliance Officer. Attendees also visited the Alcalá de Henares Sports Center, home of Atlético de Madrid Femenino, where they witnessed training sessions, putting into practice what they had learned theoretically.
