Jacksonville’s new North American Soccer League has just named the its first head coach.After seven months of searching, the Jacksonville Armada Football Club announced Wednesday that Argentinian-born Jose Luis Villarreal will take the helm as the professional team prepares to hit the field next April.
The team’s general manager Dario Sala made the announcement at Jacksonville's Omni Hotel Wednesday afternoon.
"His experience as a player, coach and recruiter and our shared vision for the future for Armada FC will make him the perfect person to lead us to success in 2015," he said.
Villareal brings 30 years of playing and coaching professional soccer to the game. He got his start at age 16, playing for a local club in his hometown of Cordoba, Argentina.
The new coach, whose English is limited, said he was happy to be in Jacksonville. He recently relocated to the city with his wife and two children. In the months to come, his mission will be to build and mold a winning team and staff.
"My goal is to win and to make our fans proud," he said.
The Armada’s first season kicks off April 2015.
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