Introducing International Soccer Academy’s Coaches at Hertha BSC in Berlin, Germany
Tens of thousands of elite youth soccer players dream of playing soccer in Europe … the first step can be training for 9 months on a team integrated in a Bundesliga or a La Liga Club … International Soccer Academy identifies players who want to train in Europe with a top dedicated coaching staff and scouts watching. Working with FC Bayern Munich, Hertha BSC and Cádiz CF, providing a proven pathway.
Being able to coach just one team of no more than 22 talented youth soccer players allows dedicated coaches to focus their efforts on meaningful player development. All too often youth soccer coaches have multiple teams for financial requirements but International Soccer Academy’s approach is different. Each team of elite youth soccer players from all across America has a dedicated coaching team of former professional players whose only responsibility is to foster and develop the individual talents of their team.
HERTHA BSC INTEGRATED COACHING STAFF
It is a simple concept. International Soccer Academy believes talented players deserve great coaches.
Focused on preparing the next generation of talent, the coaches of the Integrated Academy team at Hertha BSC’s team have tens of thousands of minutes playing professionally and years of experience coaching.
Patrick Weiser, Head Coach & Head of European Sports (UEFA Pro License)
17-Year Career – 353 Caps – 27,975 Minutes
Patrick Weiser has had an illustrious 17-year soccer career, playing over 350 games as a right-back as well as a midfielder, in the Bundesliga and participating in UEFA Cup, DFB-Pokal, and Ligue 1 matches.
Starting at FC Köln, he also played for VfL Wolfsburg, 1.FC Köln, and Stade Rennes. Last year, he led FC Schalke 04’s Integrated Academy U18s, helping 15 American players secure European contracts. Previously, he coached Bayer Leverkusen U19s. His son, Mitchell Weiser, also plays professionally in the Bundesliga (Hertha BSC, Bayern Munich and currently Werder Bremen).
These 20+ players are from all across the USA and have an all-star coaching staff. (Hertha BSC Integrated Academy Head Coach, Performance Coach, two Assistant Coaches, Goalkeeper coach plus a full-time Physiotherapist) This is a great coach-to-player ratio — allowing for real player development.
Jens Härtel, Assistant Coach (UEFA Pro License)
14-Year Career – 2nd Bundesliga 91 Caps – 8,554 Minutes
Jens Härtel, a seasoned coach with a UEFA Pro License, has a rich background in coaching and playing professional soccer. Over his 14-year career, he amassed 91 caps and 8,554 minutes in the 2nd Bundesliga, playing for notable clubs like 1. FC Union Berlin and Babelsberg 03. Transitioning to coaching, he led Hansa Rostock and 1. FC Magdeburg, winning the 3rd Bundesliga in 2017/18 and securing promotion for FC Magdeburg. Most recently, he served as Head Coach for Eintracht Braunschweig in the 2nd Bundesliga.
Francis Kioyo, Youth Performance Coach (UEFA B+ License)
13-Year Career – 65 Caps in the Bundesliga
Francis Kioyo played as a center forward in the Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga, accumulating 65 and 155 caps respectively. Over his 13-year career, he scored 34 goals and logged 13,808 minutes on the field. Kioyo, who also appeared three times for Cameroon, played for clubs like 1.FC Köln, FC Augsburg, 1860 Munich and Energie Cottbus. After retiring in 2018, he began coaching talented youth players.
Michael Scavuzzo, Assistant Coach & Team Director (UEFA B License)
2-Year Career – 27 Caps – 1,937 Minutes
Michael Scavuzzo, an American Pro-Am footballer turned UEFA B licensed coach, began his career with the International Soccer Academy in 2020 after his college suspended activities due to COVID-19. Joining the Gap Year team at RCD Mallorca, he was sent on several soccer player trials and earned a contract with Germany’s Greifswalder FC. In 2023, he joined the Hertha BSC Integrated Academy staff. A former youth player for San Diego Surf SC, Albion SC and Barca Academy, he was recruited by MLS’ Sporting Kansas City Academy at age 16 after shining in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Showcase.
Ioannis Grigorakis, Physiotherapist
Ioannis Grigorakis, a board-certified Physical Therapist specializing in nerve, soft tissue, and joint manipulation, gained valuable experience working with pro soccer players in Greece after his education. He now serves at the International Soccer Academy in Berlin, living at the Berlin FA (BFV), where he provides treatments to players focusing on injury prevention and effective recovery plans.
In addition, the team has a shared Goalkeeper coach.
Launched in 2020, International Soccer Academy offers the only U17 & U19 teams of North Americans embedded in professional clubs.
