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Xtra Time Web Desk: Odisha FC on Tuesday announced the signing of its new Head Coach Francisco "Kiko" Ramírez González ahead of the upcoming eighth season of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). The 51-year-old Spaniard has signed for the Bhubaneswar-based franchise for a year with an option to extend after the season. 

After his retirement from professional football as a player, Coach Ramírez started his coaching career with Spanish club Gimnastic as its Assistant Coach first in 2002 and then as its Youth Coach. In 2010, he joined Pobla Mafumet and returned to Gimnastic again in 2012. He has also coached other Spanish clubs like CE L'Hospitalet, CD Castellon, and CE Sabadell. He was the Second Coach at Nastic de Tarragona in the first division in Spain as well. His first foreign assignment was with Polish football club Wisla Krakow in 2017 and before coming to India, the UEFA Pro License holder was the Manager of Greek professional side AO Xanthi FC in 2019. 

Born in Tarragona, Spain, Ramírez had started his footballing career with Gimnastic's youth team and was then promoted to the senior side. He had also represented many other clubs in Spain including Sabadell, Malaga, Ceuta, Cartagonova among others before deciding to hang his boots and taking up coaching. 

OFC has also roped in the services of Joaquín "Kino" García Sánchez as Assistant Coach and Head of Football Development ahead of the 2021-22 ISL season.  

Joaquín, who has a UEFA Pro License, has a lot of experience in developing players and is a former coach at Valencia CF's youth teams. He has coached many important players who are currently playing in the first division in Spain and also directed the Valencia CF Academy in Seoul. He also coached Levante UD in the first division of women's football in Spain for several seasons. He was also the Director of Coaches in the Valencia area, working for the Spanish Federation.