They still recall a handful of power plants in Riazor that they painted along the years. The vibrant energy of Jorge Andrade and the refined presence of Pablo Amo stand out. A Portuguese player with imposing steps, a Madrid-born talent who is often called Asturian for the goal he scored in Sporting’s youth ranks, and a strategist who can sense the flow of a game and foresee the rival’s moves.
An “elegant and smart” center
“Pablo always stood out for his intelligence on the field. He knew how to read the opponents, which allowed him to anticipate forwards by half a beat and intercept countless passes,” recalls the person who coached him at Deportivo at the time, Javier Irureta. Yet Pablo Amo faced injuries during his stint in A Coruña. They were not aggressively disabling, but they prevented him from reaching regular form in the star squad.
For a stretch, the career took him to Valladolid, Recreativo, Zaragoza, and even to Greece and Cyprus. It began at Moscardó, and when he retired in 2012, he began an even more compelling journey as a coach in several countries, including China, Guangzhou Evergrande-Soxna, Australia, India, and Mexico, where he worked within the training categories. He claimed a SuperLiga title with Atlético Kolkata, served as an assistant to José Francisco Molina in India, and joined Mexico’s Atlético de San Luis alongside the former Deportivo and Atlético goalkeeper. Molina would later become the sports director of the RFEF and, in October 2018, appointed Amo as deputy sports director, opening doors for him within the Federation.
He also studied other areas such as social networking, sports marketing, and coaching. These skills enrich his role at the Spanish Football Federation, where he holds positions with the Spanish U-18 and U-19 national teams.
Luis de la Fuente tapped Amo for a steady choice that supported the idea of sustaining a coach who had recently claimed European Under-19, Under-21, and an Olympic silver medal. An understated, hard-working assistant with a broad education. From the outset, De la Fuente and his team aimed to build a cohesive unit. According to Amo, “Champions share a few core traits: a strong group, teamwork, and the ego left aside. There were many kind gestures at the Nations League Final Four that showed this. We managed to guide them well. First of all, there is a sense of team. And there is no other key. It all boils down to creating a cohesive group where everyone, whether playing or not, feels important.”
close to players
One of the hallmarks of his leadership is staying close to players, both those who take the field and those who support from the benches. He asks about their state of mind, what they want, and what they need. Keeping them engaged is essential. “Some things are easy in this group because it’s always been that way since day one. The ethos has been passed down and lived out, not only with young players but also with veterans who arrive with a huge willingness to help, to learn, and to enjoy this journey. That is the key to this team,” Amo explains. He is among the closest figures to the players, speaking with them, offering feedback, and even discussing suggestions from De la Fuente’s staff. The atmosphere around the team reflects vibrant dialogue and a positive environment.
The squad operates with a method similar to other categories, ensuring a familiar workflow that the players already know and that suits development in lower levels. “The players want normalcy. They are still young and deeply passionate about football. Often there is a distance between us and them, but we strive to preserve normality so a strong, supportive atmosphere can thrive and they can be themselves,” says the second-in-command of the group. This normality defines Amo as a quiet, kind person who maintains cordial relations with players, federation staff, and the press.
Amo is responsible for interpreting other staff notes for De la Fuente when there is something important to convey during matches. It is common to see him lean in, speak softly into the coach’s ear, and start a discussion that Haro may hush to avoid tipping off opponents. He is also the person who delivers final instructions to players before they step onto the field when changes are made. In those moments, the assistant prefers brief, precise guidance, and a confident, reassuring presence for players who know what to do. If anything, he tends to refine rather than over-explain.
This is the second stint as national team coach for Pablo Amo, and many fans hope to see him someday return to Deportivo’s bench, or to Sporting, or to the clubs where his playing career began and flourished. He does not rule out a future return to Riazor, to his beloved Sporting, or to any of the places where he once wore a jersey with pride.