Mario Bárcena Saez joins Chicago Fire FC II following a stint within the Chicago Fire Academy as U-15 Head Coach since July of 2025, bringing a wealth of experience from Spain. He arrived to Chicago from La Liga side Villarreal CF, where he coached from 2018 until May 2024 at the U-12, U-14, U-16, U-17, U-18 and U-19 levels, and was a U-19 assistant coach. 

Prior to coaching at Villarreal, Bárcena Saez spent time as a U-15 coach at Real Racing Club. He began his coaching career in 2004 at the youth level at C.D. Arenas de Frajanes in El Astillero, Spain.