Populous appoints Mata as football facilities adviser

Populous has appointed former Spain international Juan Mata as a special adviser on football and training, adding an elite player perspective to its global work on training grounds and high-performance infrastructure.Mata will contribute to design reviews, strategic discussions, client workshops and project development across the architecture and design firm’s international studios.Mata said: “Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to experience some of the best training environments in football.“What I’ve learned is that great facilities are about much more than buildings. The best environments help players perform, recover, learn, connect and grow. Every detail influences the daily experience of athletes and staff.“Populous understands that. Their approach puts performance and people at the centre of design, and I’m excited to contribute my experiences to help shape the next generation of football training centres.”The appointment supports Populous’ strategy of involving athletes, coaches and performance specialists directly in its research and design process.Populous has delivered more than 250 training facilities globally and applies a methodology covering performance, recovery, wellbeing, learning and long-term player development.The company increasingly treats training centres as strategic assets rather than standalone practice grounds, combining architecture with technology, performance planning, interiors and brand activation.Modern facilities are also being designed to integrate nutrition, medical services, data analysis, education and player development within a single operating environment.Populous global director Declan Sharkey said: “Juan has experienced elite football at every level of the game. He understands first-hand what makes a training environment successful, from innovation across player performance and recovery to culture, wellbeing and development.“His perspective will help our teams continue to challenge conventional thinking and ensure our projects reflect the realities of modern football and the needs of players and technical staff.”Mata brings two decades of experience in elite football, including spells with Chelsea, Manchester United, Galatasaray, Vissel Kobe, Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory.He won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012 with Spain, as well as the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea and the UEFA Europa League with Manchester United.Mata also holds investments in women’s football group Mercury 13 and San Diego FC, while maintaining links with the Right to Dream academy network and Common Goal.His role gives Populous an additional advisory resource as clubs increase investment in training infrastructure to support performance, recruitment, player welfare and long-term asset development.