Michael Rice (football manager)
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michael William Rice | ||
| Place of birth | Southport, United Kingdom | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Dubai City (manager) | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| Years | Team | ||
| 2020–2024 | Fleetwood United | ||
| 2024– | Dubai City | ||
Michael William Rice (born 8 December 1989)[1] is an English football manager who is currently the manager of UAE Second Division League club Dubai City F.C., guiding the team in the UAE 1st Division League.
With a career spanning over a decade, Rice is known for his contributions to football development across the UK, India, South Korea, and the UAE. He has earned a reputation for nurturing young talent and leading clubs to competitive success.
With a notable track record in UAE football, Rice has achieved significant success throughout his managerial career - 3 promotions and 1 championship title in UAE football leagues.
Early life and education
[edit]Rice's journey in football began with his passion for the sport and his dedication to learning. He obtained a BA Honours degree in Sports Science and Coaching, which provided him with a solid foundation in understanding the physical and technical aspects of the game of football. His educational background laid the foundation for a career centered on athlete development, performance training, and strategic coaching.
Football coaching career
[edit]Liverpool International Academy (2011–2019)
[edit]Rice has experience coaching overseas with various professional clubs in several different capacities. He started his coaching career at Premier League club Liverpool, where he was the head coach of Liverpool International Football Academy - DSK in India,[2] South Korea[3] and Dubai.[4]
Fleetwood United (2020–2024)
[edit]In 2020, Rice was appointed as manager of Fleetwood United, the Dubai-based former sister club of EFL League Two club Fleetwood Town.[5]
During his tenure, Rice led the team to two promotions and secured one league title,[6][7] making him one of the most successful managers in the club’s short history.
In 2024, Fleetwood Town opted to discontinue operations in Dubai, leading to the sale of Fleetwood United.[8] Following this change, Rice decided to part ways with the club.
Dubai City (2024–present)
[edit]Shortly after leaving Fleetwood United, Rice was appointed as manager of Dubai City F.C. Under his leadership, City FC has seen considerable growth and improvement, reflecting Rice's strategic approach and dedication to the sport. His recent promotion to the UAE First Division League with City FC marks another milestone in his career, showcasing his ability to lead teams to higher divisions.
Coaching philisophy
[edit]Rice is known for his player-centric coaching style, emphasizing technical proficiency, game intelligence, and physical conditioning. His international experience has helped him adapt to diverse footballing cultures while maintaining a consistent development framework aligned with modern European coaching standards.
References
[edit]- ^ "Dubai | FTIFA". ftifa.global. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
- ^ "Liverpool flavour for Indian youth football". The Hindu. 2014-04-08. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
- ^ "Liverpool FC launches International Academy in South Korea - Liverpool FC". www.liverpoolfc.com. 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
- ^ "Liverpool FC International Academy office open in Dubai - Sports - Local - Emirates24|7". www.emirates247.com. 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
- ^ "Fleetwood Town confirm international expansion to United Arab Emirates and South Africa". www.fleetwoodtownfc.com. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
- ^ "Fleetwood United crowned UAE Second Division champions". Fleetwood Town FC. 2024-04-11. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Fleetwood United lift Second Division title". Aletihad Newspaper. 2024-04-07. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ Paddock, Rob (2024-11-07). "Fleetwood Football Group part ways with Fleetwood United". Fleetwood Town FC. Retrieved 2025-04-06.