Foundations in Spain and Greece
Alex Covelo began his coaching career in the early 2000s after a modest playing stint shaped by time at FC Barcelona’s youth academy. He complemented his coaching journey with academic qualifications, earning a degree in Sports Science and a UEFA A coaching license. His early roles were rooted in physical performance, first as a strength and conditioning coach at CF Badalona and later at Aris Thessaloniki in Greece during the 2006–07 season.
Between 2005 and 2008, Covelo also served as Head Coach for Badalona’s Under-15 and Under-19 teams competing at Topflight League in Spain. These dual roles helped him develop a strong understanding of both player conditioning and youth training methodologies. His passion for building from the ground up quickly became central to his philosophy.
Youth Development at RCD Espanyol
In 2008, Covelo joined RCD Espanyol’s academy, taking on the role of methodology lead and fitness coach and Assistant Coach for the U-19s and Espanyol B . Over five years, he contributed to the structured development of players like Cristian Tello and Jordi Amat, Zouhaddir Feddal or Alejandro Rodriguez de Miguel. At Espanyol, he helped design a modernized youth training curriculum rooted in technical quality, intelligence, and consistency. This period laid the groundwork for his commitment to club-wide tactical alignment and player education.
Coaching and Talent Discovery in Italy
In 2013, Covelo transitioned to Italy, joining San Marino Calcio as an assistant coach and match analyst. He was promoted to head coach in 2014, leading the team in Serie C. Despite operating in a limited environment with minimal infrastructure, he used this opportunity to mentor future stars like Stefano Sensi and Amadou Diawara. Both players were transferred to top-tier clubs following their development under Covelo’s guidance.
His time in Italy deepened his appreciation for tactical discipline and competitive culture. It also sparked relationships with figures at AS Roma, including Jesse Fioranelli, which would later lead to his move to the United States.
Return to Catalonia and Methodology Work
After leaving San Marino Calcio, Covelo returned to Spain in 2016 to coach Atlètic Sant Just First team and briefly CE Sabadell’s U-19 team. He also collaborated with Ekkono Soccer Services in Barcelona, gaining deeper insights into cognitive-based player development. Covelo embraced the Ekkono Method, which emphasizes game intelligence and decision-making, adding a new dimension to his tactical approach.
Arrival at San Jose Earthquakes
In 2017, Covelo was hired by the San Jose Earthquakes as the club’s first-ever Director of Methodology. His mandate was to build a unified playing identity across all levels of the club. He established a “one-club” game model that applied from the academy to the first team. Covelo’s work involved designing detailed training plans, educating coaches, and ensuring alignment with club values.
He emphasized a high-press, possession-based style, reinforced through video analysis, coaching workshops, and structured practice sessions. Coaches were required to understand and execute the methodology at each level, creating a consistent player development environment.
First Team Experience and Interim Head Coach Role
Covelo served as assistant coach for the Earthquakes’ first team in 2017 and 2018 before being named interim head coach in 2022. Taking over after Matías Almeyda’s departure, he led a short but impactful campaign that saw the team improve results and play a more defined, aggressive style. Under his leadership, San Jose became one of the league’s top teams in pressing and attacking output.
He maintained a strong focus on youth during his tenure, promoting players like Niko Tsakiris, Cade Cowell, and Benji Kikanović. Though the team narrowly missed the playoffs, Covelo’s leadership was credited with steadying the club and reinforcing its developmental identity.
Tactical Identity and Coaching Style
Covelo describes his approach as aggressive, forward-thinking, and possession-driven. His teams press high, avoid sitting deep, and seek to control tempo through the ball. He credits his background in physical training, tactical instruction, and methodology for shaping a balanced and adaptable coaching identity.
His methodology centers around structured periodization, long-term development planning, and reinforcing a club-wide identity. Covelo prioritizes sessions that mirror match conditions, using repetition and situational training to prepare players for in-game decisions.
Legacy at San Jose and U.S. National Team Involvement
Since 2017, Covelo has transformed the San Jose Earthquakes into one of Major League Soccer’s leading academies for national team contributions. Players like Cade Cowell, Emi Ochoa, Cruz Medina, and Oscar Verhoeven have progressed under his guidance. His philosophy has become embedded in the club’s culture, and his efforts have been recognized at the national level.
In 2023, Covelo signed a professional contract to serve as an assistant coach for the U.S. U-23 national team during a training camp, further cementing his rising reputation in football development ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. His ability to link academy and professional levels, teach intelligent football, and implement a lasting system continues to shape the future of player development in the U.S.
Covelo’s journey reflects a commitment to modern coaching, long-term growth, and an education-first approach that prioritizes player understanding as much as physical and tactical performance.
Our Exclusive Interview with Alex Covelo
Who is Alex Covelo beyond football? How would you describe yourself as a person away from the pitch?
I’m a passionate person, and my values are the foundation for everything in my life. I’m loyal, and once I set a goal, I don’t stop until I achieve it. Family is one of the most important pillars in my life, along with my deep passion for football. I enjoy cinema and music, and when I have free time, I love traveling with my family to disconnect and make the most of the rare breaks football allows.
You began your coaching career in Catalonia before working in Greece, Italy, and the U.S. How did those early experiences shape your coaching identity and methodology?
I started my coaching career without even realizing it would become my main profession. I was playing in the Tercera División for CE Europa when I began coaching a U12 team in Sant Cugat, a small town near Barcelona, around the year 2000. Over the next four years, I balanced playing, coaching, and studying for my Bachelor’s degree in Sport Science at Ramon Llull University in Barcelona.
During that time, I served as Head Coach at the Badalona Academy and completed my internship at FC Barcelona’s U18 team as part of my degree. That experience gave me the chance to attend every training session and see, up close, players like a young Messi, Víctor Vázquez, and Piqué. When Ángel Guillermo Hoyos, then coach of Barça’s U18 team, signed a contract with Aris Thessaloniki, he invited me to join as an external consultant to oversee load management and periodization. The rest, I believe, you’ve already captured well.
As someone who has developed players like Stefano Sensi, Amadou Diawara, Cade Cowell, and Niko Tsakiris, what do you believe are the key ingredients in guiding young talent to the top level?
First of all, let them be themselves. Sometimes, as coaches, we try to change players because of our own ego. But a player should always stay true to who they are, as long as they operate within the team’s code and certain standards. Some players need more tactical guidance, others need help developing a professional mentality over time, and some simply need to be supported and cared for on a personal level as young individuals.
You stepped in as interim head coach at San Jose during a difficult period. What did that experience teach you about leadership at the top level?
First and foremost, my 20 years of coaching experience in different environments helped a lot, especially since I already knew the league from my time as an assistant coach in 2017 and 2018. I was familiar with most of the players, which made the transition smoother.
I had also been working closely with Matías Almeyda, observing and contributing during trainings and preseasons. That experience, along with the project we built together with Jesse Fioranelli, Bruno Costa, and myself, launching the second team and developing players like Max Arfsten, now at Columbus and part of the U.S. national team, was key preparation.
Once I stepped into the locker room, I was simply myself. I believe players need honesty, clarity, and consistency, not half-truths or mixed messages. Communicating a clear vision of the playing style we wanted made a big difference. We pushed hard and came close to reaching the playoffs with 12 games remaining, but injuries and the departure of key players to European clubs made it difficult to secure 7th place. At that time, only the top 7 qualified, while now 8th and 9th also earn a spot.
You’ve built a full methodology system at San Jose Earthquakes and contributed to the U.S. Olympic team. What excites you most about influencing football development at the national level?
Specifically, when it comes to club vision, for me it is a success to see all teams playing and training with the same structure and identity. That is a vision becoming reality. Before I arrived, every team and coach worked differently, without clear guidelines on playing style, training methodology, or structure.
Regarding the Olympic team, that incredible opportunity pushed me to step out of my comfort zone as a coach and adapt to a new dynamic, with a different method, staff, and high-level players.
Coaching and being part of that staff at the Paris Olympic Games took me to another level. It was an incredible experience to coach against Morocco in the quarterfinals and watch players perform at their best, like Tessmann for us or Hakimi for them.
Looking ahead, do you see yourself returning to a first-team head coach role, or continuing to focus on long-term player and coaching development?
Yes, I do see myself coaching a first team. I’ve had opportunities abroad, but I chose to stay because I know the league well and, as a family, we were waiting for our Green Card. In football, you can never predict what will happen, but I am confident and committed.