Welcome to Fort Worth! Please help me welcome Tony Merola to the Fort Worth Vaqueros! We want to take a few moments to thank Coach Sergio Franklin for leading our club through some of the most challenging times in our club history! We look forward to a new era! Get to know Coach Tony!
1- Originally I’m from Wales in the UK and arrived here in North Texas in 2014 working for at the time Liverpool FCs International Academy. I was raised in the Northern part of Wales surrounded by mountains and rain so talk about landing in a totally different climate here in Texas!!
2- I’ve been coaching 16 years now and worked with grass roots players through to players who have played Internationally for their Country and the EPL. I started coaching just before my 30th birthday when my second Achilles rupture made me hang up my cleats.
3- I’m very much a coach who has to understand each and every player I work with as each one will be different from the other from a learning perspective. As a player, I was a visual learner, learning by seeing examples or demonstrations so I really struggled at times with just words. Some players didn’t need visuals, they just picked it up straight away but being involved in coaching for quite some time now I realize it’s important to do both so every player understands the principles I’m trying to implement and the why behind it. I have my own set of principles of play which has worked at every level I’ve been at but to have that success all depends on the player buy in and type of players we have on board. For example, I like to play expansive soccer with plenty of freedom and attacking flare, but if we have a load of good midfield players who can keep the ball, that type of soccer probably won’t benefit the caliber of players we have. But regardless of players, our principles will always be the same regardless of what system we play.
4- I think one of the most important factors for me is having a relationship with the supporters and making them feel that what we are trying to achieve both on and off the field is for them and the wider community of Fort Worth.
5- The people. Everyone is so friendly! I love heading to the Stockyards with my wife and 4 year old daughter, I never get bored of that place! #soccerismylife #soccerlife #WeAreFortWorth #futuregenerations #fortworth #soccer #fortworthsoccer #youthsoccer #futureballers #mifamilia #fortworthtx #vaqueros #SupportLocalSoccer