CHARLOTTE FC

Charlotte FC hired Mikel Antia (left) as an assistant coach Wednesday, bringing the MLS expansion club's staff to three. Antia and Charlotte head coach Miguel Angel Ramirez coached together at Aspire Academy in Qatar.

Charlotte FC’s coaching staff went from zero to three people in a week.

The club announced Mikel Antía as an assistant coach today. He joins head coach Miguel Ángel Ramírez and assistant Christian Lattanzio. Antía, a 49-year-old Spaniard, signed a three-year deal with the club, with his official hire pending until his work visa is set.

Antía and Ramírez worked together in Qatar at Aspire Academy. Like Ramírez, this will be Antía’s first venture in Major League Soccer.

“I have known Miguel since my time at the Aspire Academy from 2012-2016 and have seen his evolution as a coach,” Antía said in a statement. “Football is my passion and the possibility of helping build this club allows me to combine different styles of play based on rhythm, intensity and a solid understanding of the game.”

Antía joins Charlotte from Chinese side Dalian Pro F.C., where he was an assistant from 2019-21. Antía also served as an assistant under Rafael Benítez at Newcastle United from 2016-19, helping the club return from relegation to second-division Championship play to the top level English Premier League in 2017.

“We are very pleased with the coaching team we are establishing for our inaugural season,” Charlotte FC Sporting Director Zoran Krneta said. “Mikel brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of styles of play, methodology and player development systems. We expect that our newly formed coaching staff with head coach Miguel Ángel Ramírez, assistant Christian Lattanzio and Mikel will lead a competitive team.”

Antía, who was born in San Sebastián, Spain, spent his playing career as a defender for Spanish clubs Celta Vigo, Real Madrid, Real Valladolid and Real Sociedad.

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