Mista to coach expansion Atletico Ottawa franchise

Ties to Atletico Madrid gives organization instant credibility, partner says

OTTAWA— Jeff Hunt believes Ottawa finally has the right recipe for pro soccer success with Club Atletico de Madrid on board.

Hunt, also a part-owner of the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks and Ontario Hockey League’s Ottawa 67’s, is the strategic partner for Atletico Ottawa. The Canadian Premier League, entering its second year, officially unveiled Atletico Ottawa as its eighth franchise Tuesday.

Club Atletico de Madrid, a Spanish soccer giant, is the team’s owner. Madrid’s Fernando Lopez will oversee operations for Atletico Ottawa, which will share TD Place with the Redblacks.

Having Club Atletico de Madrid running the show makes this version of pro soccer in the capital different, Hunt said. The Ottawa Fury were the most recent soccer team to come and go in the city, suspending operations late last year after a sixyear run.

“It’s instant credibility,” Hunt said of Madrid. “When you start a new expansion franchise in any league, and this is my third (he also was involved with the Fury at the start), you’re trying to create a brand from scratch. You’re really starting from ground zero and to be catapulted immediately to the top soccer brands in the world … we’re leveraging that enormous credibility that they have.

“To be under the wing and the resources they have, we instantly have a scouting department of 80 people. I could go on and on about the advantages and resources they have. It’s something I have never seen a precedent for. I don’t know of any other league where you had something like this happen.”

The club will have a former Toronto FC player as head coach. Miguel Angel Ferrer, a former forward who played as Mista, will be in charge of the Atletico Ottawa on-field product.

Mista signed with Toronto in July 2010, playing nine games in total. Now 41, he most recently served as a youth team coach for Madrid-based Rayo Vallecano. Prior to that, he was a youth team coach at Valencia. He also played for Tenerife, Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna in Spain.

“For me, it’s a very important opportunity that Atletico Madrid gave to me as a coach,” said Ferrer, speaking through an interpreter. “I was here in Canada before working and playing in the MLS with Toronto FC and I’m really excited to be part of this and contribute and help this team in the CPL.”

CPL commissioner David Clanachan said from the time the league was formed, the goal was to have a club in Ottawa.