FC Noah: An Armenian Club’s European Journey with Ties to Luis Figo

FC Noah successfully navigated every stage of Conference League qualifying. This emerging team, named after a biblical figure and having received input from Portuguese football icon Luis Figo, is poised to be one of Chelsea’s most intriguing adversaries this season. The Armenian club, FC Noah, is set to visit Stamford Bridge for Thursday’s Conference League group stage match, having already achieved a historic qualification to reach this point. Among the 50 teams that participated in the first qualifying round, FC Noah was the sole club to advance to the play-offs, and they further progressed by securing a spot in the main tournament. During the qualifying stages, they netted 18 goals. Notable moments included goalkeeper Ognjen Cancarevic scoring from a long clearance against AEK Athens, and an 88th-minute winning goal with ten players on the field, achieved after relinquishing a 3-0 aggregate advantage in their play-off match. The team from Yerevan has secured a 2-0 victory against Czech side Mlada Boleslav and experienced a 1-0 defeat at Rapid Vienna in their initial two league fixtures, fueling their aspirations for the knockout stages. Established as Artsakh in 2017, the club adopted its current name in 2019. Throughout its relatively short history, it has undergone multiple changes in ownership, stadium locations, and even cities. In 2020, they claimed the Armenian Cup, but prior to the current season, they had not advanced past a European qualifying round. Now, with a squad that has been assembled only a few months ago, they are set to play at Stamford Bridge in what is considered one of the most significant matches in the history of Armenian football. Even after finishing second last season, just two points behind champions FC Pyunik, the ambitious businessman Vardges Vardanyan opted to replace the manager, appointing Portuguese Rui Mota, and largely revamped the squad. This extensive restructuring, arguably beyond what even Chelsea might envision, involved signing 16 players during the summer and an additional three in the first half of 2024. Currently, no player has been with the club for more than two years. Rui Mota, at 45 years old, has accumulated coaching experience in various countries, including Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Belgium, Brazil, Turkey, Iran, Croatia, and Georgia. “Being in the Conference League is a spotlight for the club, to show ourselves to European football, because now everybody knows who Noah is,” he stated. “The Chelsea game is a special moment because it means playing one of the best teams in European football. It’s an honour to have this game. “It’s a very special game for us, for Armenian football, for our fans, for our club.” Vardges Vardanyan, who founded one of Armenia’s largest IT companies, assumed control of the club in August 2023, initiating an almost immediate transformation. “During the summer transfer window, we made a strategic decision to rebuild the team to align with our ambitious goals,” he informed BBC Sport. “Starting with only nine players on 17 June, we worked tirelessly to strengthen the squad, ensuring it was ready and competitive for the Conference League. “This success drives us to set even higher goals, continue our development, and cement Noah’s place among the leading clubs in European football.” He further commented: “Before the start of the European season, I set a goal for the team to reach the group stage of the Conference League.”Many viewed this as an unrealistic and nearly impossible target, but as you can see, despite all the challenges and obstacles, we have made it.” Vardanyan also harbors more ambitious objectives. “Ultimately, my aim is to contribute to the growth of Armenian football and build a legacy that will serve future generations,” he stated. “Today, our investments and resource allocation are unprecedented in the history of Armenian football.”My long-term goal with Noah is to establish a competitive club with a distinctive identity and presence on the European football map.”We aim to win every possible title and set new standards of excellence, from developing young talent to supporting the Armenian national team with top-level players from Noah.” Last year, Luis Figo visited Noah’s academy and received a signed shirt. The club’s logo has since been updated. Davit Alaverdyan, chief editor of Mediamax Media Company in Yerevan, remarked: “Although the club was founded in 2017, in 2022-23 it was completely transformed with a new owner and management, so in that sense it can really be considered new.”Such a success is truly unprecedented.” While a connection between former Portugal, Real Madrid, and Barcelona star Figo and an Armenian club might appear improbable, club owner Vardanyan explained: “Luis Figo was one of the first to support my vision of building this project. “He believed in the programme’s success and offered his willingness to assist in key areas. We are friends and often discuss the club’s development, with Figo providing valuable advice.”We have big plans with Figo, particularly in promoting Noah’s young talents abroad and enhancing the club’s international reputation.” Due to the club’s rapid ascent and its history of frequent relocations, its fanbase is still developing. They have utilized various stadiums, including locations in the capital Yerevan, Armavir, and currently Abovyan. Their European matches are hosted at the Republican Stadium in Yerevan, and a new stadium is under construction in the nearby city of Echmiatsin. “Until recently, the team did not have many fans, but success on the international stage has led to the number increasing with each game,” journalist Alaverdyan observed. “A stadium for 20,000 people, as well as a football academy, is being built near Yerevan.” Regarding the club’s biblical name: According to the Old Testament, Noah’s Ark came to rest on Mount Ararat, a peak situated just across the border in modern Turkey that prominently features on the Yerevan skyline. Armenia holds the distinction of being the first nation globally to adopt Christianity as its official religion during the fourth century. “A significant part of Armenia is located in the Ararat Valley, so the themes of Ararat, Noah and his Ark have sacred meaning for Armenians,” Alaverdyan explained. Captain Hovhannes Hambardzumyan, who joined in August 2023, is among the club’s longest-serving players. “Being part of Noah’s project is something special for all of us,” stated the 34-year-old Armenia right-back. “We are not just playing football; we are playing for our nation, our pride, our homeland, and our tricolour flag, striving to elevate the name of Noah in the world of football.”