Fernando Varela is an Argentine-born Spanish coach.[2] He is a UEFA Pro Licence holder and from 2011 to 2014 he was Football coordinator of the Almeda CD in Cornellá de Llobregat. He has previously coached Catalalan CE Tecnofútbol in the lower leagues[3] before joining Gokulam.[4] He is the author of the book Futbol Inteligente (Smart Football).[5] In 2018 March he appointed as the head coach of Indian top division club Gokulam Kerala and under him they won the Kerala Premier League. Before the I-League season he was sacked by the club due to personal reason but after revealed that the language was the problem because Varela was not good at English.[6]
On 1 June 2019, it was announced that Fernando Varela would take over as head coach of I-League side Gokulam Kerala[7][8][9] under him they won Durand cup one of the oldest football tournament in Asia.[10][11][12] On 16 June 2020, he left Gokulam due to salary issues and the performance of the club not impressing the owners.[13][14]
After his successful spell with Gokulam Kerala, he moved to another I-League side Churchill Brothers in September 2020.[15] Under his guidance, Churchill emerged as the runners-up of the 2020–21 I-League with 29 points.[16][17][18] Although Churchill winning against Punjab, Gokulam Kerala were crowned champions courtesy of a better head-to-head record.
On 13 March 2023, it was officially announced that he was appointed head coach of Bengaluru United.[21][22] He was sacked by the club in August, and was replaced by Sankarlal Chakraborty.[23]
He came back to Bengaluru United in November 2023, as in charge of the team in BDFA Super Division League.[24]
Datt, Anil (19 January 2020). "Punjab to take on Gokulam Kerala". tribuneindia.com. Ludhiana: Tribune India News Service. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2020.