During his stay at the Real Madrid Graduate School, Bryant Lazaro completed his Master in Football Coaching and Management. Now he tells us about his experience in our University and what path his professional career has taken since finishing his studies.
After a year as a development coach in Tromsø IL, one of the Clubs in Norway with the most history in the UEFA Europa League, Bryant has signed as Head Coach of Alta IF of the Norwegian Second Division. Bryant regards managing a Club of this prestige in Northern Norway as "An honor and a challenge. Real Madrid Graduate School has greatly influenced my professional career and allowed me to learn from the best."
Can you tell us what your career has been like since you obtained your Master's Degree at the Real Madrid Graduate School?
Thanks to the Director of the Master David Viejo, I was selected to coach in the Levante UD Academy in Valencia, under the direction of David Salavert. I spent 3 years there working in the coaching staff’s of the U16, U18, U20 and U23 levels. At the same time, I organized and founded the Club's International Training Department, which is still active to this day. I was its first Director for two years, training professional coaches and players from more than 40 countries. Subsequently in the 2016/17 season, under the guidance of Pablo Blanco, Head of Player Development at Sevilla FC, I joined this Club as an assistant coach of the Sevilla U21s. My players were used as the sparring squad for the Sevilla first team, led then by Jorge Sampaoli and JuanMa Lillo, world class managers that I was able to learn from everyday. My time in Sevilla FC was crucial in my development and way of thinking football. After moving to Hearts FC as an assistant to Manager Ian Cathro in the Scottish Premier League, I was offered to join Tromsø's ambitious project.
You completed the Master in Talent Identification and Development in Football, what impact has it made on you as a professional coach in Europe?
The entire program was magnificent and of great educational interest. Very thorough. Professionals such as David Viejo, David Salavert, Pablo Blanco, Alberto Giráldez and Ramón Martínez, among others, have greatly influenced my views on coaching.They have always been available for advice. Excellent professors.
Why did you decide to study at the Real Madrid Graduate School? Are you satisfied with the program?
Satisfied and grateful. The Master has allowed me to learn from teachers of the highest caliber. In addition, the elite Clubs that the University provide include Real Madrid CF, AFC Ajax, Athletic Bilbao, Borussia Dortmund, Villareal CF, Valencia CF, among others. Very impressive. It’s no surprise the Master has a global ranking as one of the best 50 programs in sports management.
Did you imagine coaching where you are now?
Not exactly. When I began my Pro License in Argentina in 2009, I knew that I had to travel to learn and find opportunities. This Master made it easier for me. I am interested in Norwegian football because of its great potential. American manager Bob Bradley coached Stabaek FC in 2014 and facilitated the acceptance of Americans in European football. Antoni Ordinas (current coach of Stabaek FC) spoke to me about the intense work that Bob Bradley has done with the team and that inspired me.
Do you have any advice for the current students of this Master?
Football is a universal sport, there is no limit to where you can grow as a professional. It helps tremendously to speak languages: English, French and Spanish have been very useful for me as an amplifier of the excellent education I received from Real Madrid Graduate School-UE.
This Master's Degree, currently called Master's Degree in Football Management, is unique in the world for the content taught regarding the development of soccer players, allowing an in-depth knowledge of the most successful models of Spanish and European football.