The Art of Coaching

Football coaching is both a beautiful and challenging job. What makes a great coach? Is it just their certificates, their years of experience, or where they come from?

Football is an art. A great coach needs the right mindset and patience with each player. They must keep control while also being a mentor and friend. Developing a footballer goes hand in hand with personal growth, so a coach must help players grow as people as well as athletes.

We carefully choose our coaches because we believe the quality of education depends on the quality of the teachers.

A soccer coach kneeling on one knee on a green field, showing a tactic board to a young soccer player who is pointing at it. The coach is wearing a black cap and black athletic clothing, while the player is in a white and pink soccer uniform with neon yellow cleats.

MEET THE TEAM

  • Mehran Rowshan | Alliance FC's Founder

    Mehran Rowshan

    FOUNDER

    Mehran Rowshan is a pioneering sports and life coach in Dubai. Specialising in coaching children, teenagers, and young adults, Mehran is a highly-trained and trusted professional with 15+ years of experience working in the field of sports and youth coaching.

    Coaching Qualifications:

    Football Psychology. The F.A

    Coaching Children. The F.A

    Soccer Camp Coach Course. The F.A

    Player & Match Analysis. The F.A

    Planning, Preparing & Evaluation Coaching. The F.A

    UEFA “B” Coaching License. The F.A

    International Coaching License. The F.A

    Football Coaching Mentorship. Holland

    Football Brain Training. Portugal
    Pro License | Portugal

    Health & Safety Level 3 UK

    Pro-Course, Netherlands

    Experiences:

    Coach, Aston Villa, UK

    Coach, Arsenal Soccer School Dubai

    +5000 players coached

    Developed and Designed more than 300 Unique football Drills

  • A man with a beard and tattoos on his left arm standing on a sports field with folded arms, smiling, and facing the camera.

    Nuno Samarra

    CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

    Nuno is a UEFA B Licence Coach with International Experience as Head Coach from Youth Teams to Senior Teams, and Technical Director for Sporting Clube de Portugal Academies, in Portugal.

    With 10 years since stepping into the Emirates, and more than 15 years as a Coach, Nuno has worked towards a Masters Degrees in Sports Management and Business Administration, merging the on-field experiences as an ex-pro player and coach with the tools to pursue the Club’s sustainability, growth and development.

    Coaching Qualifications:

    UEFA B Licence, The FA

    BSc in Physical Education and Sports, Specialized in Sports Training - Football

    Master of Business Administration, Cardiff Metropolitan University

    AFC Certificate in Football Administration and Management

    Diploma Football Business Strategy and Management, Barça Universitas

    Diploma High Performance Certification, Barça Universitas

    Diploma in Sports Management, Sportrail

    Experiences:

    Coach, Sporting CP Academy, Lisbon, Portugal

    Coach U19 Top-Level to First Team in Portugal 3rd Tier

    Technical Director, Sporting Clube de Portugal Academies

    Technical Director, Little Legends Academy, UAE

  • Ebony Thompson

    Ebony Thompson

    LEAD COACH

    Combining a background in education, football, and professional play, Ebony joins us with a wealth of knowledge and a passionate driving force to provide the younger generation with tools to develop and grow them on and off the field. She strives to put female football at the forefront and empower young footballers to provide them with excellent opportunities.

    Coaching Qualifications:

    Bsc. Primary Education (5-11) with recommendations for QTS Degree

    FA Level One

    FA Level Two (UEFA C)

    Level 3 Higher Sports Leadership Award

    Safeguarding for children

    First Aid Training

    Disability Football Introduction

    English FA Welfare Officers course

  • A man wearing a black polo shirt and a black baseball cap with a dinosaur logo stands on a grassy sports field with a scoreboard and trees in the background.

    Leonardo Azevedo

    LEAD COACH

    Starting his Coaching career 10 years ago, while balancing his life as a Player and Coach, Leonardo has gone through all the Youth Levels in Portugal, always connected to Sporting CP, including taking on the role of Technical Director and working in the 5th tier of Senior Football in Portugal.

    Additionally, Leonardo has also worked as a Physical Education Teacher in both Primary and Secondary Schools.

    Coaching Qualifications:

    •⁠ ⁠UEFA B License

    •⁠ ⁠UEFA Coaching License

    •⁠ ⁠Degree in Physical Education and Sports, Specializing in Sports Coaching

    •⁠ ⁠Master's Degree in Teaching Physical Education in Primary and Secondary Education

    Experience:

    •⁠ ⁠Youth Coach at SGS (National Championship)

    •⁠ ⁠Youth Coach at Sporting CP

    •⁠ ⁠Assistant Coach for Senior Football

  • A man with a beard and mustache wearing a black cap and black sports shirt with white logos, standing outdoors on a sports field with a goal post in the background.

    Anilton Lourenço

    LEAD COACH

    Anilton Lourenço is a Portuguese Football Coach with a UEFA B Licence and Certificate II in Football (Soccer) Coaching.
    With several years of Experience working with Youth and Senior Players across Europe, he has coached in Academies and Clubs such as Pro-Elite United, Macclesfield FC, ADO (Associação Desportiva de Oeiras), and UDR Santa Maria – SL Benfica School.

    Anilton’s passion for Football is matched by his Commitment to Player Development. His Coaching Philosophy focuses on empowerment, adaptability, and individual growth, helping Players realize their potential and elevate Team Performance. Known for his Professional Approach, effective communication, and analytical mindset, Anilton creates dynamic, high-quality training environments that foster both skill and character development.

    Coaching Qualifications

    UEFA B Licence – Football Coach Course by the Portugal FA

    Sports Analysis and Data Reporting Experience

    Individual and Team Training Specialist

    Experience

    Head Coach – Pro-Elite United U14 (2023–2024)

    Head Coach – Macclesfield FC U11, U13, U16 (2022–2023)

    SL Benfica Academy - Assistant Coach & Analyst – UDR Santa Maria (2021–2022)

    SL Benfica Academy - Performance Analyst, First Team – UDR Santa Maria

    SL Benfica Academy - Head Coach, U16 – UDR Santa Maria (2020–2021)

    SL Benfica Academy - Head Coach, U12 - UDR Santa Maria (2019–2020)

    Head Coach – SG Sacavenense / VO Sports (USA) (2017–2022)

    Head Coach NF Academy U11 (Ibercup Barcelona – 2022)

    Head Coach – Associação Desportiva de Oeiras (2014–2019)

    Delivered Personalized Football Sessions for Technical, Tactical, and Mental Player Development - Victory Way to Win (2015–2020)

  • A woman standing on a sports field with arms crossed, wearing a black collared shirt with a logo, and a smartwatch, smiling at the camera.

    Sophia Msetti

    LEAD COACH

    Sophia Msetti, fondly referred to as "Matty", has over 7 years of experience in coaching football with both her national team, and various football academies and clubs. Verona Sports Academy, Simba Queens Sports Club, Argentina Football Academy to name a few.

    Matty has a passion for football along with a real determination to transform a player's potential into visible improved performance, utilising her strategic mindset and leadership skills to develop female players through the realms of football.

    Coaching Qualifications


    CAF Diploma B Coaching Course


    FIFA Grassroots Football Coaching Course


    FIFA Women Football Coaching Course


    Manchester City Young Leader Award

    International Goalkeeper Coaching Course

    First Aid Training

    Experience

    Head Coach - Tiger Football Academy


    Assistant Coach - Argentina Football Academy


    Head Coach - Romario Sports Academy


    Head Coach - Verona Sports Academy


    Assistant Coach - Simba Queens Sports Club

    Professional Playing Career - Tanzania Women's National Team (Twiga Stars)

  • A smiling man with glasses, crossed arms, standing on a soccer field outdoors during daytime.

    Leovi Paguibitan

    CLUB ADMIN