Youth National Teams Gear Up for a Season Full of Challenges

As a new season kicks off, there’s a breath of fresh air and renewed optimism across the foundation of Spanish football. The 2025/26 campaign is now underway, and so are our youth national teams. There’s no pause at the Ciudad del Fútbol: this week, all members of the staff from the men’s youth sides came together in Las Rozas to map out a season packed with challenges and hope, with the aim stronger than ever – to keep developing players for the senior team and ensure Spanish football remains a global benchmark.

Manuel Fernández, coordinator of the youth national teams, and his deputy Jesús Rosagro, set out the plans for the coming months under the supervision and guidance of Aitor Karanka, technical director of development and the senior men’s national team. The calendar offers no respite: from next Monday, the squads will be back on the pitch, with the U15s and U17s first up for a training camp in Alfaz del Pi.

The structure of Spain’s academy setup has also been confirmed, blending continuity with the arrival of new coaches who bring fresh ideas, energy, and quality to a top-level staff.

David Gordo begins a new chapter in September as head coach of the U21s, who will be fighting for qualification to the 2027 European Championship; Paco Gallardo takes charge of the U20s, with the spotlight on the World Cup in Chile, as well as the U19s; David Tenorio continues with the U18s; Sergio García de la Fuente steps in to lead the U17s; Hernán Pérez will take charge of both the U16s and U15s; and David García Cubillo joins the project as head of the U14s, a role he will combine with assistant duties

On the physical preparation side, Álvaro Cavero, Luis Gutiérrez and Luis Fandiño will lead, supported by Norbert Callau, Erik Penedo and Aarón Fueyo. Goalkeeping coaches will be Roberto Vázquez, Koke Contreras and Juan Carlos Arévalo. Match analysis will be handled by Ramón Vázquez, Agustín Peraita and José Manuel García, while Rubén Bravo and Nicolás Sainz provide psychological and educational support for the younger squads.
Next week, coinciding with the training camps in L’Albir for the U15s and U17s, work meetings with the full youth national team staff will also continue.