Meet Coach Michael
Coach Michael is a pro & celebrity soccer coach based in Southern California who trains players of all levels – Professional, National Team, Semi-Pro, Division 1 College, Youth, & Adult Players. He holds a UEFA B Coaching License, and has served as Technical Director & Director of Coaching for several soccer clubs & academies.
Coach Michael has experience with top professional teams around the world, including Bundesliga's FC Bayern Munich, MLS's DC United & Premier League's Leicester City FC – he applies his knowledge & experience onto the field and in his sessions.
Coaching Background
Michael learns directly from leading professional soccer clubs & coaches from around the world and applies his learnings & experience to his trainings, involving technical training with the ball to improve in real life game situations.
Michael did a coaching hospitation with Bundesliga Team FC Bayern Munich in 2023, where he observed trainings of their pro & youth academy teams & participated in a coaching seminar with FC Bayern coaches about Germany's new coaching philosophy for soccer development by German Football Federation's Director Hannes Wolf.
Michael was with Premier League Team Leicester City FC in 2020, where he shadowed the club’s Head Coach Brendan Rodgers and MLS Team, DC United & their Head Coach Wayne Rooney in 2022 & 2023 (Wayne Rooney & DC United were MLS All-Star's coaching staff). Michael was also with Bundesliga Team FC Schalke 04 in 2022 where he coached their youth academy teams. He also had the opportunity to learn directly from Bundesliga Teams FC Köln & Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2022 and La Liga's FC Barcelona in 2023.
FC Bayern Munich Coaching Hospitation
McKenna began working with Coach Michael in April 2023, who immediately recognized her talent and potential. Together, they developed a strategic plan to help her achieve her goal of becoming a professional soccer player—an achievement she realized in July 2024. The plan included intense training three times a week, playing for Slammers FC 09, competing with SC Blue Heat FC, and gaining experience with the LAFC Academy boys' team.
Her rapid progression opened doors to multiple opportunities, including being the youngest to sign a Nike NIL deal, playing for the USYNT, and being represented by one of the best sports talent agencies in the world Team A&V Sports. McKenna continued her training with Coach Michael before relocating to New Jersey to join Gotham FC. She still trains with him whenever she’s back in California
Youngest Pro in US History
McKenna Whitham
Professional Soccer Players
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Alyssa & Gisele Thompson
Michael trains many professional soccer players including World Cup & U.S. National Team Players, & other national team players for Mexico, Canada, Philippines, Armenia, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, & more. A few professional soccer players Michael trains are Champions League & Bundesliga Player Emir Karic, Sydney Leroux (Olympic Gold Medalist, World Cup, NWSL Angel City FC Player), Scarlett Camberos (Liga MX Femenil Club América, Mexico National Team Player), and many more.
Michael has trained Alyssa Thompson & Gisele Thompson over a span of a few years, when they were in high school. Alyssa Thompson was the NWSL #1 draft pick in 2023 for Angel City FC, Women's World Cup, and U.S. Women's National Team Player. He also trains her sister, Gisele Thompson, who is an Angel City FC & U.S. Women's National Team Player.
Experience & Education
Michael has directed several soccer clubs and academies with over hundreds of players, including RCD Espanyol de Barcelona Academy New Jersey. He holds a UEFA B Coaching License.
Michael was a D1 College Coach at Iona College in New York and Head Coach of Premier League Player Christian Fuch's UPSL Semi-Pro Team, where led the team to win their first championship, making history in the community.
Aside from training professional players, Michael's clientele includes MLS & NWSL team owners, & celebrities like Ziggy Marley (Bob Marley's son), Hilary Duff, & former NBA Player Al Harrington, to name a few.
Michael also trains academy players and beginners, ranging from youth development to adults.
Michael works with schools and soccer clubs where he trains players and teams to improve their technique, game strategy, and more. He also consults for soccer clubs, teams, and organizations looking to improve their overall strategy, structure, teams, coaches, & individual players.
Michael Holzer holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications and a Master’s degree in Public Relations, equipping him with strong communication and leadership skills that translate seamlessly into his coaching approach.
Soccer Camps
In addition to private soccer training in California, Coach Michael hosts soccer camps across Southern California in Los Angeles and Orange County throughout the year.
Coach Michael's Soccer Camps have special guests like Ronaldinho, Kaká, LAFC Players, LA Galaxy Players, Alyssa Thompson, Ali Riley, and more. Players travel from all over California, around the USA, and from other countries to attend.
Learn more about Coach Michael's Camps here or the button below.
