Javier Cabrera (football manager)

{{family name hatnote|Fernández Cabrera|Martín Peñato|lang=Spanish}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Javier Cabrera

| image = Javier Fernández Cabrera with Bangladesh in 2023.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| caption = Cabrera as Bangladesh manager in 2023

| fullname = Javier Fernández Cabrera Martín Peñato

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|10|4|df=y}}

| birth_place = Madrid, Spain

| currentclub = Bangladesh (head coach)

| height = 1.84m

| position =

| manageryears1 = 2013–2015

| managerclubs1 = Sporting Goa (assistant)

| manageryears2 = 2016–2017

| managerclubs2 = Rayo Majadahonda (youth)

| manageryears3 = 2020–2022

| managerclubs3 = Deportivo Alavés (youth)

| manageryears4 = 2022–

| managerclubs4 = Bangladesh

| manageryears5 = 2023–

| managerclubs5 = Bangladesh U23

}}

Javier Fernández Cabrera Martín Peñato (born 4 October 1984) is a Spanish professional football manager who is the current head coach of the Bangladesh national football team.{{cite news|url=https://dailysportsbd.com/2022/01/%e0%a6%ac%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%82%e0%a6%b2%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%a6%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%b6-%e0%a6%a6%e0%a6%b2%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%b0-%e0%a6%a6%e0%a6%be%e0%a7%9f%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%a4%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%ac-%e0%a6%a8%e0%a6%bf/|date=7 January 2022|title=বাংলাদেশ দলের দায়িত্ব নিচ্ছেন বার্সেলোনায় কাজ করা কোচ|language=bn|work=Daily Sports BD|access-date=8 January 2022|archive-date=8 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108151155/https://dailysportsbd.com/2022/01/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/news/javier-cabrera-made-coach-national-football-team-2934881|title=Javier Cabrera made coach of national football team|date=January 8, 2022|website=The Daily Star|access-date=January 8, 2022|archive-date=January 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108132232/https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/news/javier-cabrera-made-coach-national-football-team-2934881|url-status=live}}

Cabrera is a UEFA Pro License coach with a wide range of experience in both professional and grassroots football projects.{{cite news|url=https://m.dailyinqilab.com/article/451405/%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%80%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9A-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B6-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE|date=8 January 2022|title=জাতীয় ফুটবল দলের নতুন কোচ স্প্যানিশ জাভিয়ের কাবরেরা|language=bn|work=Daily Inquilab|access-date=8 January 2022|archive-date=8 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108165754/https://m.dailyinqilab.com/article/451405/%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC-%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9A-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B6-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/sports/football/%E0%A7%A7%E0%A7%A7-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6-%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9A-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE|title=১১ মাসের জন্য বাংলাদেশ ফুটবল দলের কোচ কাবরেরা|website=Prothom Alo|access-date=2022-01-08|archive-date=2022-01-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108131802/https://www.prothomalo.com/sports/football/%E0%A7%A7%E0%A7%A7-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6-%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9A-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE|url-status=live}} He also has a reputation as a football analyst {{cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/DBC.NEWS.Sports/videos/389397759651458/|date=24 January 2022|title=আপাতত দেশি কোচদের অভিজ্ঞতা কাজে লাগাতে চান কোচ|language=bn|work=DBC Sports|access-date=24 January 2022|archive-date=24 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124172537/https://www.facebook.com/DBC.NEWS.Sports/videos/389397759651458/|url-status=live}} and has experience of working as an expert analyst for Opta Sports.

Cabrera has a bachelor's degree in football as well as advertising and marketing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.daily-bangladesh.com/english/sports/67943|title=Javier Cabrera made Bangladesh Football team coach|website=Daily Bangladesh|access-date=2022-01-08|archive-date=2022-01-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108144105/https://www.daily-bangladesh.com/english/sports/67943|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dhakapost.com/sports/football/89544|date=8 January 2022|title=বাংলাদেশের নতুন কোচ হ্যাভিয়ের, অভিষেক ইন্দোনেশিয়ায়|work=Dhaka Post|access-date=8 January 2022|language=bn|archive-date=8 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108175429/https://www.dhakapost.com/sports/football/89544|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.jagonews24.com/m/sports/football/729829|date=8 January 2022|title=জামালদের দায়িত্ব নিতে আসছেন বার্সার কোচ|language=bn|work=Jagonews24|access-date=8 January 2022|archive-date=13 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113020413/https://www.jagonews24.com/m/sports/football/729829|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://m.bdnews24.com/bn/detail/sport/1996593|date=8 January 2022|title=জাতীয় ফুটবল দলের কোচ কাবরেরা|language=bn|work=Bdnews24|access-date=8 January 2022|archive-date=8 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108172143/https://m.bdnews24.com/bn/detail/sport/1996593|url-status=dead}}

Coaching career

Cabrera worked as a technical director and as an assistant coach for Indian side Sporting Clube de Goa, from 2013 to 2015.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} In 2016, he was appointed as the manager for Spanish club CF Rayo Majadahonda and spent a year coaching the team, before departing in 2017.{{cite news|url=https://www.risingbd.com/sports/news/441850|title=বাংলাদেশের নতুন কোচ জাভিয়ের কাবরেরা|language=bn|work=Risingbd.com|date=8 January 2022|access-date=8 January 2022|archive-date=9 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109071542/https://www.risingbd.com/sports/news/441850|url-status=live}} Moreover, he was the head coach of FC Barcelona Academy in Northern Virginia for 4 months in 2018.{{cite news|url=http://www.footballbangladesh.com/2022/01/09/7635/|date=9 January 2022|title=BFF appoints Javier Cabrera as new head coach|work=Football Bangladesh|access-date=9 January 2022|archive-date=8 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108195432/http://www.footballbangladesh.com/2022/01/09/7635/|url-status=live}} From 2018, Cabrera acted as the Elite Academy coach of La Liga side Deportivo Alavés for 4 years.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/javier-cabrera-gets-appointed-head-coach-bangladesh-354784|title=Javier Cabrera gets appointed as the head coach of Bangladesh|date=January 8, 2022|website=The Business Standard|access-date=January 8, 2022|archive-date=January 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108131339/https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/javier-cabrera-gets-appointed-head-coach-bangladesh-354784|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.banglatribune.com/sport/football/722335/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6-%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9A-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BF%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE|date=8 January 2022|title=বাংলাদেশ ফুটবল দলের নতুন কোচ হাভিয়ের কাবরেরা|language=bn|work=Bangla Tribune|access-date=8 January 2022|archive-date=8 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108114927/https://www.banglatribune.com/sport/football/722335/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6-%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9A-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BF%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE|url-status=live}}

=Bangladesh national team=

On 8 January 2022, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) announced the appointment of Javier Fernández Cabrera as the new national team head coach. Cabrera signed an 11 month contract during a meeting called by the BFF on 19 January 2022, where he was officially made the head coach of the Bangladesh national team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YRhjkrmEvI|title=LIVE | বাংলাদেশ ফুটবল দলের নতুন কোচের সংবাদ সম্মেলন | BFF Press Conference | T Sports|via=www.youtube.com|access-date=2022-01-23|archive-date=2022-01-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124074201/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YRhjkrmEvI|language=bn|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=350138|title=New head coach happy to have his assistants - Sports|website=The Daily Observer|access-date=2023-06-02|archive-date=2023-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117035459/https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=350138|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/online/sport/2022/03/09/1127487|title=জাতীয় দলের নতুন সহকারী কোচ হাসান আল মামুন | কালের কণ্ঠ|date=March 9, 2022|website=Kaler Kantho|access-date=June 2, 2023|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424004026/https://www.kalerkantho.com/online/sport/2022/03/09/1127487|language=bn|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/javier-cabrera-inspects-training-activities-360478|title=Javier Cabrera inspects training activities|date=January 21, 2022|website=The Business Standard|access-date=January 23, 2022|archive-date=January 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123175649/https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/javier-cabrera-inspects-training-activities-360478|url-status=live}}

Cabrera's first game incharge ended in a 0–2 defeat in a friendly, at the hand of Maldives, on 24 March 2022.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/football/2022/03/25/bangladesh-go-down-0-2-to-maldives#:~:text=Bangladesh%20suffered%20a%200%2D2,to%20secure%20victory%20for%20Maldives.|title=Bangladesh go down 0-2 to Maldives|date=March 25, 2022|work=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=10 June 2023|archive-date=9 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609180618/https://www.dhakatribune.com/football/2022/03/25/bangladesh-go-down-0-2-to-maldives|url-status=live}} In June, Cabrera guided the team to three straight defeats, as Bangladesh finished bottom of their group in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification – third round. The team conceded 8 and scored 2 goals over their qualification campaign.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/news/cabrera-wants-keep-believing-3048711|title=Cabrera wants to 'keep believing'|date=June 16, 2022|work=The Daily Star|access-date=21 June 2022|archive-date=21 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621081446/https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/news/cabrera-wants-keep-believing-3048711|url-status=live}}

On 22 September 2022, Cabrera gained his first victory as Bangladesh coach, which came in his seventh match incharge, when Rakib Hossain scored the only goal as Bangladesh edged Cambodia 1–0.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/sports/football/x7ebd9cnar|title=অবশেষে ‘সোনার হরিণ’ হাতে পেলেন রাকিব|website=Prothom Alo|archive-date=9 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609180945/https://www.prothomalo.com/sports/football/x7ebd9cnar|language=bn|url-status=live}} However, the following friendly saw the team go down 1–3 to hosts Nepal.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/news/nepal-men-avenge-saff-womens-championship-defeat-3129501|title=Nepal men avenge SAFF Women's Championship defeat |date=September 27, 2022|work=The Daily Star|access-date=June 2, 2023|archive-date=December 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205214950/https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/news/nepal-men-avenge-saff-womens-championship-defeat-3129501|url-status=live}}

On 11 January 2023, BFF extended Cabrera's contract for one more year. The new deal meant the Spaniard would remain at the helm until December 2023.{{Cite news |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/2023/01/11/bff-extends-cabreras-contract-for-one-more-year#:~:text=The%2038%2Dyear%20old%20coach,said%20a%20press%20release%20Wednesday|title=BFF extends Cabrera’s contract for one more year|date=11 January 2023|work=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=10 June 2023|archive-date=9 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609181756/https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/2023/01/11/bff-extends-cabreras-contract-for-one-more-year|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/news/cabrera-gets-one-year-extension-3218306|title=Cabrera gets one-year extension|date=11 January 2023|work=The Daily Star|access-date=10 June 2023|archive-date=9 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609182144/https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/news/cabrera-gets-one-year-extension-3218306|url-status=live}}

On 17 January 2025, the BFF further extended Cabrera's contract until 30 April 2026, making him the longest-serving coach in Bangladesh's history.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/news/cabrera-set-be-longest-serving-bangladesh-coach-3801066 |title=Cabrera set to be longest-serving Bangladesh coach |date=17 January 2025 |work=The Daily Star |access-date=7 March 2025 |archive-date=7 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307085545/https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/news/cabrera-set-be-longest-serving-bangladesh-coach-3801066 |url-status=live }}

=Bangladesh U23=

Cabrera was given the duty as head coach of the Bangladesh national under-23 team for the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/sports/football/ht9kddq1ih|title=এশিয়ান গেমস নিয়ে রোমাঞ্চিত কাবরেরা|website=Prothom Alo|language=bn|access-date=2023-09-18|archive-date=2023-09-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918171850/https://www.prothomalo.com/sports/football/ht9kddq1ih|url-status=live}}

Managerial statistics

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" \|+
rowspan="2"\|Team !rowspan="2"\|From !rowspan="2"\|To !colspan="8"\|Record
{{Tooltip\|G\|Games managed}} !{{Tooltip\|W\|Games won}} !{{Tooltip\|D\|Games drawn}} !{{Tooltip\|L\|Games lost}} !{{Tooltip\|GF\|Goals for}} !{{Tooltip\|GA\|Goals against}} !{{Tooltip\|GD\|Goal difference}} !{{Tooltip\|Win %\|Winning percentage}}
align=left\|{{flagicon\|BAN}} Bangladesh \|align=left\|8 January 2022 \|align=left\|present {{WDL\|30\|8\|7\|15\|for=20\|against=45\|diff=yes}}
align=left\|{{flagicon\|BAN}} Bangladesh U23 \|align=left\|19 September 2023 \|align=left\|present {{WDL\|3\|0\|1\|2\|for=0\|against=2\|diff=yes}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

rowspan="2"|Team

!rowspan="2"|From

!rowspan="2"|To

!colspan="8"|Record

!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}

!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}

!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}

!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}

!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}

!{{Tooltip|GD|Goal difference}}

!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}