Pablo Franco Martín (born 11 June 1980) is a Spanish football manager who is the manager of club Espérance de Tunis. He is best known for leading Botola Pro club Maghreb of Fez to the 2025–26 Moroccan league title, the club's first championship in 41 years, before departing the club weeks later.
Manager career Born in Madrid, Franco was an assistant manager at Coria and Fuenlabrada, and started his managerial career at Santa Eugenia in 2010.Pablo Franco, de ayudante en Tercera División a entrenador en Primera en tres años (Pablo Franco, from assistant in Tercera División to manager in Primera in three years); Noticias Para Getafe, 27 February 2015 On 27 January 2012, he returned to Fuenlabrada, now as a fitness coach.Pablo Franco, nuevo preparador físico del Fuenlabrada (Pablo Franco, new fitness coach of Fuenlabrada) ; Fuenlabrada's official website, 27 January 2012
On 5 July 2012 Franco was named the manager of Illescas, with his side in Tercera División.El Illescas firma a Pablo Franco como nuevo entrenador (Illescas signs Pablo Franco as the new manager); ABC, 5 July 2012 On 11 June of the following year, he was appointed at the helm of fellow league team Puertollano;Pablo Franco, nuevo técnico del CD Puertollano (Pablo Franco, new manager of CD Puertollano); ABC, 11 June 2013 in his first and only campaign he led the club to a first position in their group, but the Castile-La Mancha side renounced promotion due to financial problems.
On 28 July 2014 Franco was appointed as manager of Getafe B.Pablo Franco ya dirige al Getafe B (Pablo Franco already manages Getafe B); Vavel, 28 July 2014 On 26 February of the following year, after the resignation of Quique Flores, he was named as interim manager of the main squad,Pablo Franco dirigirá al Getafe frente al Málaga (Pablo Franco will manage Getafe against Málaga); El Mundo Deportivo, 26 February 2015 and appeared in his professional match two days later, a 2–3 away loss against Málaga.Estado de euforia en La Rosaleda (State of euphoria at La Rosaleda); Marca, 28 February 2015
On 3 March 2015, Franco's spell in the main squad was further extended, with Javier Casquero as his assistant.Pablo Franco sigue y Casquero será su ayudante (Pablo Franco remains and Casquero will be his assistant); Marca, 3 March 2015 Eight days later, after a 2–1 away win against Córdoba, the duo was officially granted until the end of the season.Pablo Franco entrenador del Getafe (Pablo Franco manager of Getafe); Getafe's official website, 11 March 2015
On 1 June 2015, after avoiding relegation with the main squad, he was relieved from his duties.Agradecemos su trabajo y compromiso (We thank your work and commitment); Getafe's official website, 1 June 2015 On 10 March of the following year, he was appointed as manager of Georgian club Saburtalo Tbilisi, joining compatriot Manolo Hierro.Pablo Franco se marcha a entrenar a Georgia (Pablo Franco goes to manage in Georgia); Marca, 10 March 2016
In June 2023, Franco was appointed as manager of South African Premiership club AmaZulu.
On 30 December 2024, Franco was appointed as manager of Saudi First Division League club Al-Faisaly.
On 22 June 2025, Franco was named head coach of Botola Pro club Maghreb of Fez on a one-year contract, becoming the club's fourth manager to arrive with previous experience in Arab and African football, having previously worked in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania and South Africa.
In the 2025–26 Botola Pro season, Franco led MAS Fès to the club's first Moroccan championship in 41 years and its fifth overall title, sealed with a 2–0 win over Olympique Dcheira on the final matchday, 5 July 2026. MAS Fès finished the campaign with 59 points from 16 wins, 11 draws and only 3 defeats in 30 matches, two points ahead of runners-up RS Berkane, with the division's best defensive record, conceding just 17 goals.
The title win secured MAS Fès a place in the 2026–27 CAF Champions League.
On 14 July 2026, MAS Fès announced the termination of Franco's contract, a day after the club also parted ways with sporting director Badr Elkaddouri as part of a wider restructuring of its sporting department. In its statement, the club said Franco would "forever be associated with one of the most prominent chapters in MAS Fès's history." According to Moroccan media, club officials had tried to persuade Franco to extend his stay, but he opted to pursue other opportunities after receiving offers from clubs in the Gulf.
Managerial statistics
TeamNatFromToRecordSanta Eugenia1 July 201027 January 2012Illescas5 July 201211 June 2013Puertollano11 June 201328 July 2014Getafe B28 July 201426 February 2015Getafe26 February 20151 June 2015 Saburtalo Tbilisi10 March 20164 December 2016 Qadsia1 June 201930 June 2021 Simba8 November 202131 May 2022 AmaZulu1 July 20231 October 2024 Al Faisaly30 December 20241 June 2025 Maghreb of Fez22 June 202514 July 2026 Espérance de Tunis3 October 2026presentTotal
Honours Maghreb of Fez Botola Pro: 2025–26 References
External links