Not only did he spend almost 15 years as a professional with the likes of Real Sociedad and Atletico de Madrid in Spain, but he can also add scoring at the 1982 FIFA World Cup to his long list of achievements.
And while his name may be relatively unheard of in Oceania, thanks to his new role as OFC coach/mentor with the Vanuatu Football Federation it’s sure to be one that will be etched forever into the OFC history books.
Lopez Ufarte has signed on to work closely with VFF technical director Etienne Mermer, and provide advice and assistance to technical staff at Teouma Academy, as well as all national team coaches and staff as they prepare for international competitions.
OFC technical director Patrick Jacquemet says Lopez Ufarte’s previous experience, which includes 12 years in various coaching positions with the Real Sociedad technical department, edged him ahead of other candidates for the role.
“He has a wealth of experience both as an elite player and a coach and I think that along with his vision for football, which is based on the game and technique, corresponds well with the qualities of the Vanuatu footballers,” Jacquemet says.
“This is on top of his great human qualities where he expresses a lot of humility and generosity.”
Jacquemet says Lopez Ufarte has plenty of things to share with the coaches and players in Vanuatu.
“It’s up to them to get involved and to work by his side to best take advantage of his great experience.”
For Lopez Ufarte, coming to Vanuatu and the Oceania region is a chance to continue living football every day.
“I have always had football in my head and I always say the same thing, I cannot imagine a week without football. When I was a player it was the same, I was obsessed by football,” Lopez Ufarte says.
“When I finished playing I wanted to be a coach and I specialised in that but I would say I am more of a man of football because I’m a coach but also have experience as a manager and a technical director – it’s my life.
“Coming here I can continue all of that. I will be involved in something that I really like, it’s almost unbelievable that I am here with my wife, and will spend every day constantly living football.”
Perhaps what is even more unbelievable is that Lopez Ufarte has travelled halfway around the globe to take the position despite knowing very little about Vanuatu, or football in Oceania.
“Patrick suggested trying to develop football in a place where people really love football and I have always worked in a team that places a lot of importance on youth and trying to get young players into the first team,” he says.
“I enjoyed the manner in which we spoke especially knowing that we will, above all, develop football, and the potential to make football stronger in Vanuatu was a huge draw card.
“Before coming I didn’t know a lot, I tried filling myself in of course but it’s true that in Europe we believe football only exists in Europe and South America, but that’s not the case at all. I have seen in the federation everything is well controlled, everything is evolving well and development is strong – three good reasons why I am here.”
Lopez Ufarte has been familiarising himself with football in Vanuatu since he took up his post at the beginning of June. He will continue in his role until early December, though even this early on is confident he will still be working in the region in ten years’ time.
“It depends if everyone is happy, but for me it is easy to adapt and I hope to do some good here. I see myself staying here because in seven months we won’t see a lot of difference, however in 2015, 2016 and 2017 the results will become evident.”
For more on Vanuatu football go to www.vanuafoot.vu

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