A Career Defined by Passion, Dedication, and the Art of Nurturing Young Talent in Soccer
Last season, Patrick Weiser coached 18 talented North American Youth Soccer Players at FC Schalke 04 on their Integrated Team from International Soccer Academy — helping 14 of them sign contracts to play soccer in Germany & Spain.
Patrick Weiser turned pro at 20. The left-back, known for his Spielintelligenz or Soccer IQ enjoyed a 16 year career as a professional player in the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 where he played an astonishing 360 matches spanning 28,369 minutes.
A youth soccer player at the age of seven years old at FC Köln, Patrick found home on the pitch. He made his professional debut for his home club at just 20 years old in the Bundesliga Season 1991/92 were his FC Köln finished 4th place, qualifying for the UEFA Cup, the equivalent of today’s Champions League. He made his UEFA Cup debut against Scottish Premiership Club, Celtic FC.
After a long and successful career playing for clubs like FC Köln, VfL Wolfsburg and Stade Rennais, a brutal knee injury had him rethink his future in soccer. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to be a coach,” he reflects on those uncertain early days post-injury. Now 10 years later with a UEFA Pro License, he looks back at that time with conviction that he picked the right path.
In 2005, Patrick began working on his B License, a step that rekindled his passion for the sport. After a brief stint coaching a U15 youth soccer team at VfL Meckenheim, Patrick received the offer to become the Academy Director at Fortuna Köln. At this position, Patrick was in charge of running the successful Bundesliga Academy, including the hiring of coaches, recruiting players as well as the day to day operations. His time behind the desk however convinced him he wanted to leave the office behind him and be back on the pitch, leading him to pursue his A License and eventually earning his UEFA Pro License in 2016.
Patrick Weiser’s Soccer Coaching History
- Head Coach, VfL Meckenheim U15 Team
- Head Coach, FC Köln U16 Team
- Assistant coach, FC Köln First team in the Bundesliga
- Assistant coach, Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League
- Head Coach, Bonner SC U19 Bundesliga
- Head Coach, Bayer Leverkusen U17 & U19 Bundesliga
- Head Coach, FC Schalke 04 Integrated U18 Team
“Even after all these years coaching, I miss the thrill of competing, the camaraderie of teammates, and the innocence of playing purely for the love of the game.” says Patrick.
Just this last season, Patrick has arranged over 45 trials for his players at International Soccer Academy’s U18/19 Team at FC Schalke 04. The Bundesliga Club with 178,000 members, and the fourth-largest club in the world, tasked Patrick with the job of coaching talented North American players who represented the Club for one season. For young players aspiring to go pro, Patrick offers some valuable advice. “You need to have a good balance in life,” he says. “Relentless passion for the sport and the motivation to improve are essential. Take in advice, focus on self-reflection, and live in the moment. Every training session and every game counts and is an opportunity to improve.”
At the core of Patrick’s coaching philosophy is the belief in nurturing young talents. He emphasizes understanding players’ personalities and building a cohesive team. “I like to see players with different characters and personalities working together and believing in the same goal,” he says. Patrick enjoys the humor and cultural exchanges that come with coaching, especially in a diverse environment like the United States.
”I owe a great deal of my success to Coach Patrick Weiser. His deep tactical understanding of the game was key in my development. His ability to break down the opponent’s play and adapt our strategy accordingly was crucial.” says George Acurero, International Soccer Academy player at the Schalke 04 Integrated Academy who was coached by Patrick says, Thanks to his guidance and support, I was able to showcase my abilities during the trial and ultimately sign a contract with Rot-Weiss Essen.”
Canadian youth soccer player, Jacob Stauber, who was the starting center back and captain under Coach Patrick at the Schalke 04 Integrated Academy says, “Coach Weiser not only prepared me physically and mentally for the demands of professional football in Germany but also provided invaluable insights into the strategic aspects of the game.” Jacob is one of 14 players Patrick helped signed a contract in Germany from the Schalke 04 Integrated Academy. He will be leaving his home in California to move to Mainz to play for SV Mainz Gonsenheim U19.
Patrick’s approach to training emphasizes not only physical fitness and technical skills but also a comprehensive understanding of match tactics. Weiser is adept at analyzing opponents, formulating game plans, and teaching players how to read the game effectively. This holistic approach ensures that players are well-prepared for all aspects of professional football, which was pivotal for the players he’s coached at International Soccer Academy as he embarked on his career in Germany.
“Once Patrick was sure of my determination to stay in Germany to play soccer, he arranged trials for me and helped my sign a contract to play in Berlin for BFC Dynamo”. says California born Hughie Eaton, top goalscorer for International Soccer Academy’s U18 team at FC Schalke 04 2023/24.
“It is not an exaggeration to say Coach Patrick changed my son’s trajectory in both football and in life,” says Hugh Eaton, father of Hughie. “Patrick’s deep knowledge, of not only the tactical, technical, and physical aspects of football, but also his deep connectivity with all levels of German professional football clubs, opened doors that simply would not have been there otherwise. My son’s growth over the past year was exponential under Patrick’s guidance both on and off the pitch.”
“My son is playing professional soccer next year in Germany after trialing with multiple professional clubs. Without Patrick, this does not happen,” says Eaton.
“Coach Patrick Weiser genuinely cares about his players beyond just their performance on the pitch. His commitment to our overall development as individuals makes him more than just a coach; he is a mentor who deeply values our personal growth.” says Josiah John, a Brooklyn native who was invited to the Guyanese National Team player pool and is currently playing for SC Wiedenbrück in Germany.
Patrick’s legacy on the pitch is being continued by his son, Mitchell Weiser. He has played over 300 matches in the Bundesliga and the Champions League, where he played for Clubs like FC Köln, FC Bayern, Bayern Leverkusen and is currently with Werder Bremen. A very skilled right back, Mitchell has won the Bundesliga three times, the German Cup twice, the Under 21 Euros for the German National Team as well as the FIFA Club World Cup and the German Super Cup.
Much of Patrick’s coaching philosophy comes from the mentors he had as a player. Morten Olsen, former Coach of the Danish National Team as well as Ajax Amsterdam was his favorite coach during his time at FC Köln from 1992 to 1994, left a lasting impression. “Morten had a great understanding of tactics and how complex the game can be,” Patrick recalls. Despite the challenges of international transfers at the time, Olsen’s influence was profound. Renowned German Coach, Wolfgang Wolf, his Coach at Wolfsburg was another key figure, taught Patrick the importance of good energy and personal connection, an approach that made players eager to train every day.
Patrick’s collaboration with Stale Solbakken who he worked with at 1.FC Köln and Wolverhampton Wanderers was also influential. “Solbakken, currently the coach of the Norwegian national team, has combined the qualities of coaches Olsen and Wolf,” says Weiser. “I learned a lot from Solbakken.”
These lessons from his mentors have shaped Patrick into a coach who blends tactical complexity with a positive, energetic approach. His philosophy is a mix of Olsen’s tactical brilliance and Wolf’s personal touch, creating a coaching style that is both modern and deeply connected to the players’ well-being and growth.
One of the players that Patrick identified as possible future pro was Pennsylvania born and former Philadelphia Union player Francis Castillo. Francis was in the Schalke 04 Integrated Team, before being picked up by La Liga club, Cádiz CF. Francis was also selected by the El Salvador National Team where he is currently playing in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2026 and previously by the Nicaragua national football team.
Working with American youth soccer players has been a transformative experience for Patrick. “Their dedication to the sport is incredible,” says Weiser.
I am constantly amazed by the American players’ passion and motivation
Patrick Weiser
For American soccer parents, Patrick Weiser’s story is a testament to the importance of nurturing young talent with patience, understanding, and a genuine passion for the game. His advice to young players looking to turn professional is grounded in a balanced approach to life and sports. “Focus on the now – every training, and every game,” he advises. “Take this job seriously; it’s not just a hobby.”
Weiser’s journey from player to coach highlights the power of passion and dedication in soccer. His commitment to developing young players and his ability to adapt and grow through his experiences make him a remarkable figure in the sport. Next season, Weiser will be International Soccer Academy’s European Director of Sport as well as the head coach for the Hertha BSC U18/19 Integrated team. As he continues to inspire and mentor the next generation, Weiser’s enduring influence on soccer remains profound.
