Regillio Simons

Visionary UEFA Pro Licensed Coach and Strategic Technical Leader with a

Master in Coaching (Johan Cruyff Institute). Extensive expertise in implementing elite football methodologies across global markets (including Europe and the

Middle East). Proven architect of elite player development, specialized in bridging the gap between youth excellence and professional senior operations. A culturally adaptable builder focused on creating self-sustaining technical structures for ambitious organizations worldwide.

Sharjah FC (AFC Ajax partnership), Sharjah, UAE

Technical Advisor & U14 Head Coach

Jul 2025 - Present

Regional Growth & Adaptation: Demonstrated rapid adaptation to the Gulf

Cooperation Council football culture, generating immediate structural growth and technical advancement within the department.

Operational Leadership: Head of training and coaching for the U14 squad within a professional international elite academy.

Strategic Support: Advisor to other academy youth teams, focusing on implementing a uniform playing style and training methodology.

Policy Advising: Supporting the Head of Academy on development issues,

process improvements, and long-term vision.

Knowledge Transfer: Coaching local trainers in tactics and didactics to raise overall academy quality.

Soccer & Performance Academy, Amsterdam

CEO and Founder

2013 - Present

Driven by a clear vision for talent development, I established this innovative training center where comprehensive, individual guidance for the footballer is central. By employing an all-encompassing approach, I create an environment in which elite athletes can develop freely and reach their maximum potential. In my role as Chief Executive, I focus on:

Strategic Leadership: Responsible for the vision, operational business management, and quality management of the academy.

Management & Coaching: Leading and mentoring a team of trainers and specialists; safeguarding the continuity of the training curriculum.

Stakeholder Management: Maintaining relationships with sponsors, parents,

and external scouts on both a national and international level.

Project Management: Developing innovative high-potential programs for players at a global elite level.

FC Volendam, Volendam

Head Coach (Eredivisie) & Interim Technical

Nov 2023 - Jun 2024

Appointed during a turbulent technical and administrative period to stabilize the sporting organization and lay a foundation for the club's future.

Organizational Architecture: Responsible for designing and implementing a new, integral technical structure. This structure more closely connected the first-team technical staff with the youth academy—a formation that remains the foundation of the club to this day.

Crisis Management: Maintained stability and calm within the squad and staff under challenging financial and administrative circumstances. Served as the sporting figurehead and connector between the different levels of the club.

Methodology & Innovation: Implemented innovative training methodologies and high-performance protocols to maximize team cohesion and individual performance at the Eredivisie level.

Talent Development (Jong Volendam): Initiated the design of individualized development processes for talents, focusing on the accelerated integration of youth players into professional senior football.

Leadership Under Pressure: Managed group dynamics in a high-voltage environment, maintaining a continuous focus on professional growth and maximum sporting resilience.

asv De Dijk, Amsterdam

Head of Youth Development

Jul 2022 - Jun 2023

Culture & Identity: Responsible for anchoring the specific club culture within the youth academy, bridging "bold" Amsterdam talent with a professional high-performance structure.

Technical Policy Plan: Developed and implemented a modern youth plan

(foundation, intermediate, and advanced stages) with a strong focus on the pathway to the senior first team (competing at elite level/Second Division at the time).

Organizational Professionalization: Restructured scouting and selection procedures and professionalized communication with parents and external stakeholders.

Staff Mentorship: Served as a mentor for youth coaches, ensuring continuity in training material and match coaching to guarantee a uniform style of play.

Xavi Simons, Amsterdam/Barcelona/Paris

Strategic Performance Director (Individual Elite Support)

Jul 2013 - Jun 2022

Responsible for the integral career development and guidance of a high-potential athlete at the global elite level (Xavi Simons). In this role, I directed a multidisciplinary team of specialists to create a 360-degree high-performance environment where sporting achievements and business growth go hand in hand.

Core Responsibilities & Management:

Sporting Development: Strategic planning of technical, tactical, and physical performance trajectories in collaboration with top international clubs.

Performance Management: Coordination of specialists in nutrition, mindset,

medical guidance, and social development.

Business & Branding: Strategic management of commercial identity,

including branding, social media strategy, and managing international business and legal interests.

Stakeholder Management: Acting as the central point of contact for clubs,

sponsors, media, and external advisors at the highest level.

Global High-Performance Projects, Barcelona / Paris / London / Amsterdam

Strategic Performance Director & Elite Mentor

2015 - 2022

Elite Pathway Support: Acted as a specialized mentor and technical advisor during the critical breakthrough phases of high-potential athletes, providing the marginal gains necessary for a successful transition into top-tier professional football.

Collaborative Development: Worked in synergy with players and their respective environments to refine the technical, tactical, and mental attributes required for the world's most demanding leagues.

Key Contributions: Proud to have played a supportive role in the development and professional integration of international stars, including:

Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool FC / Netherlands)

Jurriën Timber (Arsenal FC / Netherlands)

Alejandro Balde (FC Barcelona / Spain)

Xavi Simons (Tottenham Hotspur / Netherlands)

Brian Brobbey, Devyne Rensch & Kenneth Taylor (AFC Ajax /

Netherlands)

Strategic Insights: Gained deep "behind-the-scenes" knowledge of the elite development structures at FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, observing how world-class academies finalize a player's path to the first team.

AFC Ajax, Amsterdam

Head Coach / Talent Development (U8 - U16)

2013 - 2017

Methodical Approach: Responsible for implementing the Ajax training philosophy within the U8 to U16 age categories.

Individual Development Plans (IDP): Formulated and monitored personal growth plans (technical, tactical, and physical) for high-potential players.

Collaboration: Worked in close coordination with the Head of Youth

Development, coordinators, and medical staff to create an optimal learning environment.

Knowledge Transfer: Actively contributed to internal coach education and the sharing of best practices within the academy.

Master in Coaching

Cruyff Institute, Amsterdam

Jan 2015 - Jun 2016

Football Managers Degree

Cruyff Institute, Barcelona

Nov 2013 - Jun 2014

UEFA Pro Licence

UEFA, Belfast

Jan 2009 - Jun 2010

Higher Economic Administrative Education

HES, Amsterdam

1991 - 1994 Not completed

General Secondary Education (HAVO)

Cartesius Lyceum, Amsterdam

1987 - 1991