When we talk about Ambrosio José Martín Cedres, we are talking about a man who turns handball dreams into reality. The statistics of his coaching career, full of outstanding successes, speak for themselves. Since the 2010/2011 season, the experienced Spanish has led his teams to the top 3 of the EHF Champions League 10 times and has won the top of Europe’s most elite club competition four times (2013, 2014, 2017, 2018) in eight finals appearances.
Ambros Martín is not just a winner – he is a pioneer and a visionary. For his dedication and outstanding work, he has been named the best coach in the Women’s EHF Champions League five times (2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2021/2022), which puts him at the very top of world handball.
Ambros Martín: When I was starting my coaching career, I was inspired by the example of Krim Mercator. I watched them compete, win and win the Champions League.
His coaching career is impressive: from his home club Naranco Oviedo, through success with SD Itxaco, to top domination with Hungary’s Győri ETO (he won all 4 EHF Champions League titles with Hungarian team) and another final appereance with Rostov-Don. In addition to his club successes, he has also managed three strong national teams – Romania, Russia and currently Spain.
Read the interview with Ambros Martín, Krim’s new head coach HERE.
The arrival of Ambrose Martín, 56, is not just a new story for the club, but a new chapter in the remarkable career of a handball icon. His decision to join the Krim family confirms that the club remains true to its lofty goals: to consolidate its place among Europe’s elite and to fight for the greatest successes.
His expertise, experience and winning mentality will be invaluable for the team as it enters the second half of the EHF Champions League group stage after the national team break. At the same time, the team’s staff remains unchanged, which will ensure continuity in the work.
Ambros Martín will lead the team for the first time in a big spectacle – the 9th round of the EHF Champions League against Hungarian FTC on Saturday, 11 January 2025 at 18:00 in Arena Stožice. The game will not only be a test for the team, but also an opportunity for the fans to fill the Stožice once again and welcome the great Spanish coach to the Slovenian capital.
Ambros, bienvenido a Ljubljana. It’s time to write new success stories together!
Deja Ivanović, Sports Director of Krim Mercator: »The arrival of Ambros Martín to our club is a great honour and a big step forward. Ambros is not only one of the most successful coaches in the history of women’s handball, but also a person who, with his winning mentality and unwavering dedication, creates great value. His decision to take up our challenge is proof that the club’s vision is recognised and appreciated at the highest level. With his wealth of experience and success, he will bring a new dimension to the team and a clear focus on achieving our goals. I am convinced that his presence will certainly have a significant impact on the development of the team, which has a great potential for new excellence. With Ambros Martín at the helm, we will pursue our ambition to get the club back where it belongs with even more confidence.«
Ambros Martín, new Head Coach of Krim Mercator: »When I was starting my coaching career, I was inspired by the example of Krim Mercator. Even then, I watched them compete, win and win the Champions League. It is one of the few clubs – maybe even the only one – that was at the top then and still has big goals and ambitions today. The fact that I have been given the opportunity to coach this club means a lot to me. It is not just about leading a team in the Champions League again, but about being part of such a big and traditional club that has convinced me with its history and vision. This is not something I need, but something I want and something that motivates me. My first goal is not to think about Final 4 – that has to be a consequence of the work we do. My first focus has to be on getting to know the team, the professional staff and how the club works. It is important that step by step we build a good and solid foundation that will lead us to this goal.«
FOTO: Kolektiff