Dear futsal friends,

this is the seventh day of the UMBRO Futsal Awards 2008 - 9th Edition by Futsalplanet.com. Today we're back on the bench, and after celebrating PC as the Best National team coach (Dimitri Nicolaou award) we move to the "club environment" in order to announce the Best Club Coach of the World category winner. Who's the one? Enhorabuena to Jesus Candelas!

Winning January
The former Interviu coach started the 2008 with clear intentions, looking for more titles. And there was just one trophy missing in the madrilenian showcase: the Recopa Cup. But that statement already belongs to the past, as since January 27th 2008 a brand new Recopa is shining in Madrid, conquered at the end of an iberian derby vs Lobelle de Santiago.

World Champions
If January was an happy first month, early April was the sweetest one. At the end of an impressive final match conquered over Malwee Futsal in Granada, the Candelas' maquina verde got the fourth Intercontinental title in a row, confirming their role as futsal masters.

Final seal?
After "conceding" the national Cup to ElPozo Murcia, Candelas' guys broke the seasonal forecasts again, experiencing a magnificent play off series in the Division de Honor ending. The first act was a dramatic quarter final comeback vs Lobelle de Santiago, then the maquina verde put out Barcelona Senseit in two matches and did the same in the expected final vs ElPozo Murcia. The dreamed end, at least for now, of the Interviu-Candelas relation.

Tribute
As you have probably understood, this award is not only the consequence of one more winning year for the Spanish coach, but also the deserved tribute by our side, hoping to see the Madrilenian coach again on the bench. We wait for Jesus Candelas, winner of the Best Club Coach of the World category of the UMBRO Futsal Awards 2008 - 9th Edition by Futsalplanet.com!


UMBRO Futsal Awards by Futsalplanet.com

Best Club Coach of the World - Winners
2008 -> Jesus Candelas (Interviu Fadesa)
2007 -> Fernando Ferretti (Malwee Futsal)
2006 -> not celebrated
2005 -> not celebrated
2004 -> Jesus Candelas (Boomerang Interviu)
Note: the 2003 edition registered a unique category for coaches (including both national teams and clubs trainers) but the first club representative, third classified, was Fernando Larranaga (who was in charge for Boca Juniors as well as for Argentina), and then PC (Ulbra's coach at that time) who got the 5th position.