Profile
Role: Technical Director of AFC Chindia Târgoviște in Romania
Specialisation: FC Barcelona’s methodology, youth academy development, coach development and player formation
Experience: Argentina, Spain, Gibraltar, Malta, Europe, Asia and Romania
Focus Areas: Possession, courage, protagonism, coach development and player formation
Biography
Cristian Alejandro Toncheff Ferberovich, born 25 March 1982, is an Argentine former professional footballer and current Technical Director of AFC Chindia Târgoviște in Romania. He was one of UEFA’s most efficient scorers in 2014 and 2015, playing professionally until 2023.
Born in Chaco, Argentina, he began playing at age seven and was part of a team that went two years unbeaten, winning provincial and national titles, performances that later earned him a move to the renowned CA Boca Juniors.
Although he later became a prolific striker in Europe, he began coaching in 2008 in Spain while still playing. He combined playing and coaching in Gibraltar, where he earned his UEFA “C” licence, and later obtained the UEFA A Licence from the Royal Spanish Football Federation as a Professional Football Coach, Sports Trainer, and Fitness Coach.
Although he later became a prolific striker in Europe, he began coaching in 2008 in Spain while still playing.
He won his first youth title in Malta before taking a decisive step in his development with the FC Barcelona Academy, coaching internationally and strengthening his commitment to a football philosophy based on possession, courage, and protagonism.
Today, at Chindia Târgoviște, which holds an official partnership with FC Barcelona, he leads the implementation of Barcelona’s methodology within the academy, focusing on coach development and player formation, with the ambition of continuous growth and success.
Today, at Chindia Târgoviște, which holds an official partnership with FC Barcelona, he leads the implementation of Barcelona’s methodology within the academy, focusing on coach development and player formation, with the ambition of continuous growth and success.
Key Insights
- Cristian Toncheff moved from Chaco, Argentina, into European football as both a player and coach.
- He began coaching in 2008 while still playing and later developed through UEFA and FC Barcelona Academy experiences.
- At Chindia Târgoviște, he leads the implementation of Barcelona’s methodology within the academy.
Our exclusive interview with Cristian Toncheff
You are originally from Chaco, Argentina. Can you explain your football journey?
Yes, I was born in Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña in the province of Chaco, Argentina. My beginnings were in the neighborhood of Puerta del Sol, where I grew up with my siblings.
I started playing at a club called Estudiantes del Puerta del Sol when I was 7 years old. At that time, I had to play with boys three years older than me because there was no team for my age group. Soon after, I changed teams within the same neighborhood to join Sol de Mayo, the club where my older brother and friends were playing.
After a few years, some of the parents involved in the club decided to create a new club called Defensores del Puerta del Sol. We had a very strong team and went two years unbeaten, winning provincial and national tournaments.
I remember starting my career as a central defender and left back, which gave me the opportunity to develop important aspects of my game that helped me in the future.
You are currently Technical Director at Chindia Târgoviște FC in Romania. What does your role consist of?
My role is to implement FC Barcelona’s methodology in the club’s youth academy. This includes training coaches, creating sessions, overseeing key aspects of the academy, and collaborating with the technical staff of the professional team.
In 2014 and 2015, you were one of UEFA’s most efficient strikers, playing until 2023. How was the transition from player to coach and what made you take that step?
Yes, I was blessed to experience those unforgettable moments. The transition was very well planned. In 2008, shortly after arriving in Spain, I unexpectedly had the opportunity to coach in the youth academy of Peñarroya Pueblo Nuevo CF in Córdoba, Andalucía (the same club where I was playing).
Those months awakened in me an uncontrollable desire to coach. Later, my career took me to Gibraltar, where I began to prepare seriously for this new path. I obtained the UEFA “C” coaching licence through a collaborative programme with the English Football Association and later continued with the Welsh Football Association.
Those months awakened in me an uncontrollable desire to coach.
During that period, alongside playing and working, I also coached in the youth academy of the club I represented. In every destination throughout my career, I tried to apply and develop that coaching dimension alongside my playing career.
What were the biggest lessons you learned during your playing career that you’ve taken into your coaching role?
Football has truly shaped me. Throughout difficult periods in my career, the greatest lessons I learned were perseverance, faith, and working relentlessly for your dreams. Other equally important values include humility, ambition to improve, and consistent effort.
You coached at the FC Barca Academy in Europe and Asia. How was that experience?
Barcelona represents a very important turning point for me as a coach. From the very beginning (particularly during the COVID period) I felt at home the moment I stepped onto the training ground, a feeling that is difficult to explain as I had never been there before.
They were intense and very special experiences that allowed me to express myself as a person, passionate and guided by values that the club represents worldwide. It gave me the opportunity to deepen the style of football that identifies me: love for the ball, courage, and protagonism. Bringing that idea to different parts of the world has been a true blessing.
What are your thoughts on the Romanian football system?
The Romanian football system is built with the best intentions. However, I believe there is still significant room for improvement, especially regarding the formative mentality of young players.
What are your ambitions for the upcoming seasons?
As a general rule in life, I always aspire to improve (personally and professionally) while working toward shared goals with the club. Every day is an opportunity to give my best. My dream is to help footballers grow and to achieve important success as a coach.
FAQ
Who is Cristian Toncheff?
Cristian Alejandro Toncheff Ferberovich, born 25 March 1982, is an Argentine former professional footballer and current Technical Director of AFC Chindia Târgoviște in Romania.
What is Cristian Toncheff’s current role?
Today, at Chindia Târgoviște, which holds an official partnership with FC Barcelona, he leads the implementation of Barcelona’s methodology within the academy, focusing on coach development and player formation, with the ambition of continuous growth and success.
What football philosophy is Cristian Toncheff committed to?
He won his first youth title in Malta before taking a decisive step in his development with the FC Barcelona Academy, coaching internationally and strengthening his commitment to a football philosophy based on possession, courage, and protagonism.