Skip to content

Pro player development

The professional methodology and philosophy implemented at the ICEF is based on the fundamentals of European excellence. This allows every student-athlete to improve their performances on the field, shape their intelligence and vision of the game, and develop healthy routines and genuine skills.

The programs are designed to meet age-specific objectives, leading to a superior understanding of the game. Student-athletes are therefore prepared for success at the highest level of football in the world.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that makes the dreams of elite international players come true, allowing them to live like pro players.

Otavio Henrique SANTOS, Pro Player | FC Girondins de Bordeaux

Pro player development

The professional methodology and philosophy implemented at the ICEF is based on the fundamentals of European excellence. This allows every student-athlete to improve their performances on the field, shape their intelligence and vision of the game, and develop healthy routines and genuine skills.

 

The programs are designed to meet age-specific objectives, leading to a superior understanding of the game. Student-athletes are therefore prepared for success at the highest level of football in the world.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that makes the dreams of elite international players come true, allowing them to live like pro players.

Otavio Henrique SANTOS, Pro Player | FC Girondins de Bordeaux
ICEF International Center of European Football - Boarding soccer academy in Europe

A world-class football staff

The ICEF Europe brings together the most qualified football professionals. All coaches are licensed with the highest official UEFA and FFF certifications and are vastly experienced in in youth development.

Julien Bernard is the ICEF Europe Head Coach. He spent five years playing at the FC Lyon training center before qualifying as a UEFA Pro Coach, the UEFA A license and a dual masters in sports management. Since then, he has coached pro players who have joined the ranks of some of the world’s best clubs, such as Juventus, BVB Dortmund and Olympique Lyonnais.

Bryan Bergougnoux is the Director of Football Development at the ICEF Europe and the Head Coach of Thonon Evian Grand Geneve FC. He holds the UEFA A and FFF licenses. He played as a professional midfielder for 19 years, during which he represented major European clubs and won several trophies (3-time French Ligue 1 Champion while at Olympique Lyonnais and Champion of Italian Serie B).

The ICEF’s technical staff is present at every stage of players’ development and relies on a full staff of experts and specialists in all areas of soccer performance and preparation including sport science, strength and conditioning, mobility, physical therapy, mental preparation, psychology, nutrition, yoga and meditation, and medical treatment, to deliver an all-around professional preparation with a focus on personal development.

A world-class football staff

The ICEF Europe brings together the most qualified football professionals. All coaches are licensed with the highest official UEFA and FFF certifications and are vastly experienced in youth development.

Julien Bernard is the ICEF Europe Head Coach. He spent five years playing at the FC Lyon training center before qualifying as a UEFA Pro Coach, the UEFA A license and a dual masters in sports management. Since then, he has coached pro players who have joined the ranks of some of the world’s best clubs, such as Juventus, BVB Dortmund and Olympique Lyonnais.

Bryan Bergougnoux is the Director of Football Development at the ICEF Europe and the Head Coach of Thonon Evian Grand Geneve FC. He holds the UEFA A and FFF licenses. He played as a professional midfielder for 19 years, during which he represented major European clubs and won several trophies (3-time French Ligue 1 Champion while at Olympique Lyonnais and Champion of Italian Serie B).

The ICEF’s technical staff is present at every stage of players’ development and relies on a full staff of experts and specialists in all areas of soccer performance and preparation including sport science, strength and conditioning, mobility, physical therapy, mental preparation, psychology, nutrition, yoga and meditation, and medical treatment, to deliver an all-around professional preparation with a focus on personal development.

ICEF International Center of European Football - Boarding soccer academy in Europe

I work relentlessly to keep developing players who will form the next football generation.

Julien Bernard - ICEF Head Coach

I work relentlessly to keep developing players who will form the next football generation.

Julien Bernard - ICEF Head Coach

The ICEF prides itself in recruiting specialists in various fields of preparation and performance, allowing for students to reach their full potential and to build remarkable profiles in the eyes of professional and collegiate recruiters.

Matthieu Ruffet, Mental Performance Expert and Football Psychologist, guides the players to develop their mental strength and confidence while developing this mindset and ideology to prepare them for all the obstacles they may encounter at the ICEF and beyond in their life.

Baptiste Marmoud, Expert Movement Analyst, instills an innovative training system proven to optimize performance of athletes using the prestigious ActionTypes approach. Having previously worked with elite swimmers, hockey players, and rugby players, Baptiste has found success coaching numerous professional athletes competing at the highest level.

Matthieu Ruffet,

Mental Performance Expert and Football Psychologist, guides the players to develop their mental strength and confidence while developing this mindset and ideology to prepare them for all the obstacles they may encounter at the ICEF and beyond in their life.

Baptiste Marmoud,

Expert Movement Analyst, instills an innovative training system proven to optimize performance of athletes using the prestigious ActionTypes approach. Having previously worked with elite swimmers, hockey players, and rugby players, Baptiste has found success coaching numerous professional athletes competing at the highest level.

Immersion in training sessions and competition schedule of a pro team

Throughout the season, the ICEF players can be selected to play for the teams of Grand Genève F.C. (ICEF Europe’ owned club) during training sessions and competitions. With hard-work and dedication, student-athletes can be recruited to the Grand Genève first team and experience their first steps in the professional world.

Immersion in training sessions of a pro team

Throughout the season, the ICEF players can be selected to play for the teams of Grand Genève F.C. (ICEF Europe’ owned club) during training sessions and competitions.

With hard-work and dedication, student-athletes can be recruited to the Grand Genève first team and experience their first steps in the professional world.

Live football 24/7

The Pro Football Development Academy is totally immersive and drives ambitious and talented student-athletes to the top of their game. The academy encompasses all facets of a professional athlete lifestyle.

Discipline: Student-athletes follow a strict and balanced schedule customized to their individual needs. All athletes are expected to adhere to the academy’s routine, developed to build healthy habits that are proven to lead the best athletes to success.

Nutrition: Pro-athlete nutrition prepared by on-site by French chefs, with local, seasonal, and organic ingredients when possible. These healthy and balanced menus are curated to fuel performance.

Health: The ICEF’s medical staff ensures student-athletes can reach their full potential, paying close attention to overall health, injury prevention, as well as supervising rest, hygiene, nutrition, and recovery.

Immersion in a pro football development academy​

Live football 24/7

Discipline: Student-athletes follow a strict and balanced schedule customized to their individual needs. All athletes are expected to adhere to the academy’s routine, developed to build healthy habits that are proven to lead the best athletes to success.

Nutrition: Pro-athlete nutrition prepared by on-site by French chefs, with local, seasonal, and organic ingredients when possible. These healthy and balanced menus are curated to fuel performance.

Health: The ICEF’s medical staff ensures student-athletes can reach their full potential, paying close attention to overall health, injury prevention, as well as supervising rest, hygiene, nutrition, and recovery.

Facilities: State of the art facilities designed to ensure student-athlete’s comfort and to foster optimal performance. Read more about the center.

Multi-cultural environment: The ICEF’s players experience a fully immersive multicultural environment, leading them to mature in all aspects of life. Read more about ICEF’s boarding life.

Masterclasses: The ICEF ensures a holistic approach to professional football preparation, including Career Orientation Courses, workshops, and masterclasses. These courses teach student-athletes the important aspects of life as an aspiring professional player.

Facilities: State of the art facilities designed to ensure student-athlete’s comfort and to foster optimal performance. Read more about the center.

Multi-cultural environment: The ICEF’s players experience a fully immersive multicultural environment, leading them to mature in all aspects of life. Read more about ICEF’s boarding life.

Masterclasses: The ICEF ensures a holistic approach to professional football preparation, including Career Orientation Courses, workshops, and masterclasses. These courses teach student-athletes the important aspects of life as an aspiring professional player.

ICEF International Center of European Football - Boarding soccer academy in Europe
Competition

Tryout Now!

Join the #1 Pro Residency Academy in Europe

Apply now