Fajero Rivera joins Qatar SC
In an unprecedented move, Qatar SC announced the appointment of Spanish coach Fajero Rivera into its football system. Rivera, who served as head coach of Qatar’s handball national team from 2013 to 2023, will join the club to bring his expertise in player development and technical program management.
Rivera’s Handball Experience
Rivera led Qatar’s handball team for years, achieving historic successes: a silver medal at the 2015 World Championship final and five consecutive Asian Cup titles from 2014 to 2022. He returned to coach the national team again in 2025. His experience in leading major national squads, managing dressing rooms, and developing players makes him an ideal candidate for applying advanced methods in a football environment.
Potential Role in Football
Rivera is not expected to take on first‑team coaching duties or tactical planning for the football side. Instead, he is anticipated to participate in advisory and developmental roles, leveraging his experience in long‑term program management and working under high‑pressure competitions. His deep knowledge of Qatar’s sporting environment will help him propose ideas on talent development, raise operational standards within the sports system, and implement modern management and planning practices.
Expected Impact
By integrating Rivera’s handball expertise into football, Qatar SC aims to strengthen a culture of technical and athletic development. He can contribute to building comprehensive training programs, improving assessment and development methods, and applying high standards in team and player management. This move demonstrates the club’s desire to innovate and broaden its horizons beyond traditional football.
Conclusion
The appointment of Fajero Rivera represents a strategic step to enhance Qatar SC’s football system, focusing on technical expertise and development rather than direct coaching of the first team. The club will benefit from his extensive experience in team management and player development, with the potential to transfer best practices from handball to football.
