Mike Phelan Coaching Team Head to the US

January 2, 2025

The Mike Phelan Coaching team is set to make a significant impact at the upcoming United Soccer Coaches Convention in Chicago, scheduled for January 8-12, 2025. 

The Mike Phelan Coaching team is set to make a significant impact at the upcoming United Soccer Coaches Convention in Chicago, scheduled for January 8-12, 2025.

United Soccer Coaches Convention


This annual event is renowned as the world's largest gathering of soccer coaches and enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive platform for education, networking, and the latest in soccer technology.


Convention Overview

The United Soccer Coaches Convention provides attendees with access to over 200 lecture sessions and field demonstrations, catering to coaches at every level. The event also features an expansive Exhibit Hall, showcasing the latest gear and technology in the soccer world. Additionally, the convention includes various socials, meal functions, and award ceremonies, fostering connections among coaches and administrators.


United Soccer Coaches Convention

Mike Phelan and Dave Horrocks' Participation

Mike Phelan, former Manchester United player and assistant manager, along with Dave Horrocks, former Head of Research and Development at Manchester United, will be presenting at different times throughout the five-day event. Their sessions are expected to provide invaluable insights into elite coaching strategies and player development methodologies.


Session Highlights

Mike Phelan's Presentation:

Drawing from his extensive experience at the highest levels of football, Phelan will discuss leadership, team dynamics, and managing high-pressure environments. His insights into top-tier football management are anticipated to offer actionable advice for coaches aiming to elevate their teams' performance.


Dave Horrocks' Workshop:

With a background in psychology and performance development, Horrocks will focus on player development at the grassroots level. His session will cover topics such as skill acquisition, mental resilience, and fostering a winning mentality among young athletes.


Additional Information

The convention will be held at the McCormick Place Convention Center, located at 2301 S King Dr, Chicago, IL 60616. Registration is open to both members and non-members of United Soccer Coaches. Attendees are encouraged to download the official convention mobile app for the most up-to-date schedule, presenter information, and resources.

United Soccer Coaches Convention


For more details and to register for the event, visit the official convention website:


Note: Schedule and presenters are subject to change. Please refer to the official convention website or mobile app for the latest updates.



April 30, 2025
So here we are on a 7 day stint of social events, player camps, coach education workshops, university and corporate visits as the team work their way around NYC, New Jersey and Brooklyn.
April 11, 2025
Following on from session one in the games for goalscoring series ( inside the penalty area ) Mike and MP Coaching now take the original drill a little further.  In this second of the series we incorporate link play with team mates, increase the distance from goal, and also add in a variety of angles and orientations to the goal making things a little more technically challenging for all those prospective goal scorers out there. Equipment Needed: 1 x Full size goal 10 x Bibs 20 x Samba Match Balls 3 x Samba Mannequins 2 x Goalkeeper Gloves 2 x Corner Flags 1 x Half of Full Size marked Pitch 1 x VEO camera This particular drill involves multiple technical and tactical aspects from the subject player (Striker). They have to make contact with a midfielder or a wide player and initiate the sequence and intention to move and to play, they have to both pass and receive, correct timing of the run is essential and this in turn is determined by the weight, trajectory and smoothness of all passes from start to finish and from both connecting players throughout the move. So, although the drill is still unopposed and involves mannequins as opposed to defenders this is the first stage before we might think about live defensive situations and will form the building block of technical (passing, striking) and tactical (movement and timing) competencies required in a first class forward player and the session forms a solid base for your coaching to progress from as your players mature. Without being overly extensive the drill tests the strikers ability to receive from behind themselves via a central midfielder, play out wide and connect with a crossed ball, put shape on their movement to cater for defenders and ultimately face a live goalkeeper who will be anticipating their every move.
Mike Phelan Coaching | Drills | Coaches Corner | Games For Goascoring
March 31, 2025
In this training session Mike Phelan addresses the art of goalscoring and working inside the penalty area.
Mike Phelan and Ole Gunnar Solskjær are standing next to each other coaching Manchester United
March 5, 2025
In a recent interview with our director and co-founder Mike Phelan, the MPC media team discussed the realities of coaching, how when working with players to get the best you possibly can out of them, and also the importance of maintaining enjoyment and the love of the game through your sessions by keeping them relative to the game.
February 3, 2025
MP Coaching took part in the US Youth Soccer’s Olympic Development Program’s boy’s interregional event at ChampionsGate in Orlando, Florida over the weekend working with top youth and college coaches and talented young players from across the United States. 
January 28, 2025
Deliberate play is a key aspect of learning within any talent development pathway and is arguably a fundamental piece of the jigsaw puzzle when it comes to athlete progression in a harmonious and enjoyable manner.
January 28, 2025
In this video our elite coaches Paul McGuinness and Mike Phelan break down the subcomponents of stopping the cross.
A group of young girls are playing soccer on a field.
January 10, 2025
A much-discussed topic in modern coaching is scanning. But why do players need to do this? and Why are coaches asking players to check their shoulders and lift their heads up prior to and as they receive the football?
By Steve Hawthorn January 9, 2025
A fine example of holistic player development from MP Coaching where practical and theoretical, body and mind are all worked for maximal learning and development to take place.
November 26, 2024
Mike Phelan had the honor of presenting the League One Player of the Year award at the Armstrong North West Football Awards