SERGIO NAVARRO: PRIORITISING DEVELOPMENT

This season will be filled with plenty of 'firsts' for Milan Futuro. The third year of the project dedicated to growth and development of young Rossoneri talent will see the team led by a foreign head coach for the first time since its launch in summer 2024. For Sergio Navarro, however, this will not be his first experience away from Spain. The Huelva-born coach arrives at Milanello powered by Clivet following a successful season in Hungary, where he guided Debrecen to qualify for the UEFA Conference League. Throughout Navarro's coaching career, one constant has been his commitment to youth development, both in Spain and abroad. It is a philosophy rooted in his own footballing background and one that has shaped his journey from the very beginning.  

"I have also been a young player, I came up from the academy to the First Team of Villareal, but I didn't have the privilege of learning from great mentors," said Coach Navarro, reflecting on his time in the Submarino Amarillo's youth system, where he helped the Club secure its first-ever promotion to La Liga in the 1997/98 season. That experience, together with the years that followed in Spain's lower divisions, convinced him to dedicate himself fully to coaching, with a particular focus on guiding the development and growth of young players: "That was the spark that inspired me to specialise in developing young talent."

"I have experienced youth football from many different perspectives," he continued, looking back on his time with Castellón, Rubin Kazan, Levante and Athletic Bilbao. "I have been Head of Methodology, Head of the Youth Sector, First-Team Assistant Coach and Head Coach. The latter is the role I now feel is truly mine, and I approach it based on all the experience I have gained so far. The Milan Futuro players are now my priority. I want to help them develop not only from a technical perspective, but also as people, so that in a few years' time they can be ready to meet the standards required of AC Milan's First Team."

In his first days at Milanello, Coach Navarro has stood out for his empathy and communication skills in a working environment where he has often interacted with Rúben Amorim. Amorim has also shown great attention to the youth teams, demonstrated by his visit to the PUMA House of Football on Thursday."When I was offered this role, I didn't hesitate at all," Navarro said about his connection with the Rossoneri. "As a young boy, I fell in love with Sacchi's AC Milan. I remember the great matches, like the one against Real Madrid in the European Cup, and the incredible players who were part of that team like Baresi, Gullit, Rijkaard and Van Basten. I was impressed by both the team and the structure." Good luck, Coach!

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