AFC U23 Asian Cup
The Spaniard has overseen a remarkable journey to the final with China PR having not conceded a single goal – a statistic that underlines the collective discipline Puche has instilled in his squad.
A stunning 3-0 semi-final win against Vietnam gives Puche the opportunity to become the first China PR head coach to lift the coveted trophy after their previous five campaigns ended in the group stage.
A student of the game during his playing days, Puche was known for his intelligence and reading of play which was evident when he had a breakthrough year in his second season with La Liga 2 side Palamos CF, scoring 27 goals.
Even while actively playing, Puche showed an interest in the strategic aspects of football and his curiosity led him into coaching shortly after calling time on his playing career at the age of 32, having spent several years in the lower leagues.
A student of the game during his playing days, Puche was known for his intelligence and reading of play which was evident when he had a breakthrough year in his second season with La Liga 2 side Palamos CF, scoring 27 goals.
Even while actively playing, Puche showed an interest in the strategic aspects of football and his curiosity led him into coaching shortly after calling time on his playing career at the age of 32, having spent several years in the lower leagues.
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Puche served as director of football at Cadiz CF. The following season marked his first senior head coaching role when he took charge of Fourth Division side Xerez CD B, while also sharing first-team directorial duties with former club player Antonio Poyatos.
He stepped onto the professional coaching stage in the 2008/09 season, as assistant coach to Juan Carlos Mandia at second-tier Hercules CF, beginning a partnership that would continue in the years that followed and further shape his tactical outlook.
Puche’s career later took him beyond Europe, signing with Kuwaiti Premier League side Qadsia SC in 2014. That move proved pivotal as he played a key role in the club’s historic AFC Cup™ triumph the same year.
He stepped onto the professional coaching stage in the 2008/09 season, as assistant coach to Juan Carlos Mandia at second-tier Hercules CF, beginning a partnership that would continue in the years that followed and further shape his tactical outlook.
Puche’s career later took him beyond Europe, signing with Kuwaiti Premier League side Qadsia SC in 2014. That move proved pivotal as he played a key role in the club’s historic AFC Cup™ triumph the same year.
#AFCU20 - Group D | Japan (JPN) 2-1 China PR (CHN)
Stints at Anorthois, assistant head coach roles in Saint-Etienne and Olympiacos soon followed before the Spaniard delved into grassroots football with China PR U20 side in 2023, taking them into the AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ quarter-finals, where they lost 3-1 after extra-time to Korea Republic.
Incidentally, China PR had opened their group stage campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Japan and Puche will not only be aiming to exact revenge but also gauge how much his players from that squad have improved since that meeting with their East Asian rivals.
Incidentally, China PR had opened their group stage campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Japan and Puche will not only be aiming to exact revenge but also gauge how much his players from that squad have improved since that meeting with their East Asian rivals.
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