CD Estepona is boosting its youth system: a new project for the reserve team and the Juvenil A squad, new signings, contract renewals, and awaiting the TAD’s ruling

CD Estepona Strengthens Its Youth Academy Structure with Antonio Sánchez at the Helm, Carlos Díaz with the Reserve Team, Carlos García Retaining His Role with the Juvenil A Team, and a Major Sports Overhaul for the 2026/27 Season

CD Estepona continues to take firm steps toward building a project for the future based on the growth of its youth system. The club has begun a major restructuring of its youth soccer program ahead of the 2026/2027 season, strengthening the organization of the reserve team and the Youth A team with new managers, contract renewals, new signings, and a more professional approach to training.
All of this comes as the club continues to await the ruling of the Administrative Court of Sports (TAD) on the appeal filed following the events of the final matchday of the 2025/2026 Primera Andaluza season, a decision that could affect the final composition of the Primera Andaluza and División de Honor groups.

The reserve team’s appeal is still pending resolution
CD Estepona recently confirmed that the proceedings initiated following the controversial final matchday of the Primera Andaluza Senior de Málaga are still pending before the Administrative Court of Sports (TAD).
The club maintains that federation regulations were not followed, as its match was played at a different time than the other matches with implications for the standings, even though the rules require such matches to be played simultaneously to ensure competitive fairness.
After filing complaints with the Malaga Federation Competition Committee and subsequently with the RFAF Regional Appeals Committee, both were dismissed, prompting the club to appeal to the TAD.
The club remains confident that the body will issue a ruling in accordance with the law and that, if warranted, the appropriate changes will be made to the final composition of the Primera Andaluza and División de Honor for the 2026/2027 season.

Antonio Sánchez to Lead the New Sports Project
One of the major moves of the summer has been the appointment of Antonio Sánchez as the new Sports Coordinator for the Reserve Team and the Youth A Team.
The former coach of the reserve team will now play a strategic role in the club’s growth, serving as the link between the sports management team led by Julen Guerrero, the first team, and the entire youth academy structure.
His main responsibilities include:
-Sports coordination for the reserve team and Youth A.
-Individual monitoring of players’ development.
-Recruiting and identifying talent.
-Methodological coordination across all age groups.
-Relations with partner clubs.
-Building a structure aligned with the first team’s needs.

A More Professional Youth Academy
In an interview with the club’s official media outlets, Antonio Sánchez explained that one of the main objectives is to bring the operations of the reserve team and Youth A in line with the organizational level of the first team.
To this end, both teams will feature significant new developments this season:
-Physical conditioning coordinated with the first team.
-Incorporation of a physical therapist for the entire season.
-A dedicated goalkeeper coach.
-Possible addition of a sports nutritionist.
-Specific individual sessions for players with particular needs.
-Greater coordination among all sports departments.
All of this will take place at the Francisco Muñoz Pérez Stadium using a common methodology to facilitate the young players’ transition to the first team.

Goal: To nurture Estepona’s talent
Antonio Sánchez also made it clear that one of the pillars of the new project will be to bring back talent from Estepona and the surrounding region.
The club aims to strengthen its ties with neighboring teams through collaboration agreements that will allow it to identify and develop promising players.
In this regard, CD Estepona has already renewed its agreement with CD Estepona Fútbol Base to continue working together on training young soccer players.

Carlos Díaz, New Coach of the Reserve Team
There are also changes on the reserve team’s bench. Marbella native Carlos Díaz will take the reins of the Rojillos’ second team following his stint at UD Torre del Mar and his previous experience at Atlético Marbella Paraíso.
His arrival aims to maintain the reserve team’s competitiveness while continuing to develop players ready to make the leap to the first team.

Carlos García will continue to lead the Juvenil A team
Meanwhile, Carlos García will remain as coach of the Youth A team for another season.
The coach will begin his second season at the club with the goal of continuing to develop talent from the youth academy and competing for promotion to the National League.

The reserve team’s core remains intact
CD Estepona has chosen to retain a large part of the reserve team’s core. The first contract extensions were for:
-Miguel Montesinos.
-Nando.
-Javi Ramos.
-Cornejo.
The following players also renewed their contracts:
-Thomas.
-Víctor Bourdes.
-Manu Santos.
-Santiago Justo.
Many of them are players who came up through the Estepona youth academy and already have experience with several promotions within the club.

First signings for the reserve team
The reserve team has also brought in promising young players. The first to arrive were Manuel Pérez and Francisco Araujo, both from Algeciras CF, where they were even called up to the first team* in Primera Federación. They were later joined by:
-Álex Zotano, from UD Manilva.
-Joachim, a defender who came up through the Cádiz CF youth academy.
-Aleksay, who returns to CD Estepona after a stint with CD Vázquez Cultural in the División de Honor.

The Juvenil A Team Also Secures Its Future
The youth team has also begun planning for the season by securing the retention of numerous players. The first contract extensions were:
-Miguel Sánchez.
-Jesús de Hoyos.
-Simón.
-Rubén Cáceres.
Subsequently, the following contract extensions were announced:
-Rubén Contreras.
-Miguel Ángel.
-Ángel.
-Iker.
-Hugo Flores.
All of these moves reflect the club’s commitment to building a competitive squad made up of homegrown players.

Chupi’s Departure
Among the departures, the most notable is that of Estepona-born goalkeeper Raúl López “Chupi”. The youth academy graduate will continue his career at Atlético Marbella, a team that will compete this season in Tercera Federación.

A Youth Academy Project with a Vision for the Future
With a strengthened sports structure, new management, a revamped coaching staff, numerous contract renewals, the addition of promising young players, and a common methodology across all age groups, CD Estepona seeks to consolidate a youth academy model that will provide talent for the first team in the coming years.
While it continues to await the resolution of the appeal filed with the TAD, the club remains focused on continuing to grow from the grassroots level with the goal of making its youth academy one of the fundamental pillars of its future sports project.

Last updated: 07/29/2026