Michael Rice (football manager)
{{Short description|English association football manager}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Michael Rice
| full_name = Michael William Rice
| birth_place = Southport, United Kingdom
| currentclub = Dubai City F.C.
(head coach/team manager)
| position =
| image = City FC Friendly Match in Shabab Al Ahli.jpg
| manageryears1 = 2024-present
| managerclubs1 = Dubai City F.C.
| manageryears2 = 2020-2024
| managerclubs2 = Fleetwood United F.C.
| manageryears3 = 2011-2019
| managerclubs3 = Liverpool FC International Academy
| upright = 1.15
}}
Michael William Rice (born 8 December 1989){{Cite web |title=Dubai {{!}} FTIFA |url=https://ftifa.global/ftifa-dubai |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=ftifa.global}} is an English football manager who is currently serving as head coach and team manager of Dubai City Football Club, a professional football team based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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.
Early life and education
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
= Liverpool F.C. International Academy (2011–2019) =
Rice have experience coaching overseas with various professional clubs in several different capacities. Rice started his coaching career in one of the Premier League Clubs in England, Liverpool F.C. He worked in Liverpool F.C. for eight years as the head coach of Liverpool F.C. International Football Academy - DSK in India,{{Cite news |date=2014-04-08 |title=Liverpool flavour for Indian youth football |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/liverpool-flavour-for-indian-youth-football/article5885866.ece |access-date=2024-04-04 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} South Korea{{Cite web |date=2022-12-05 |title=Liverpool FC launches International Academy in South Korea - Liverpool FC |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/international-academy/news/liverpool-fc-launches-international-academy-south-korea |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=www.liverpoolfc.com |language=en}} and Dubai.{{Cite web |date=2015-10-01 |title=Liverpool FC International Academy office open in Dubai - Sports - Local - Emirates24{{!}}7 |url=https://www.emirates247.com/sports/local/liverpool-fc-international-academy-office-open-in-dubai-2015-10-01-1.605256 |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=www.emirates247.com |language=en}} The success of his coaching abilities has been demonstrated through the progression of twenty players that have won International Caps from the India,{{Cite web |date=2014-06-05 |title=Carra's delight with taking LFC to India |url=https://legacy.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/164452-carra-s-delight-with-taking-lfc-to-india |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=Liverpool FC}} Togo, Cameroon - U17, U19, U23 and Senior Team and are now regular First Team members of leagues across Europe.
= Fleetwood United F.C. (2020–2024) =
In 2020, Rice was appointed head coach and team manager of Fleetwood United F.C, club based in Dubai and a sister organization to Fleetwood Town F.C. who currently competes in League One, the third level of the English football league system.{{Cite web |title=Fleetwood Town confirm international expansion to United Arab Emirates and South Africa |url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/2021/december/dubai-press-release/ |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=www.fleetwoodtownfc.com |language=en-gb}}
During his tenure, Rice led the team to two promotions and secured one league championship,{{Cite web |date=2024-04-11 |title=Fleetwood United crowned UAE Second Division champions |url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/club-news/fufc-crowned-champions/ |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Fleetwood Town FC |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2024-04-07 |title=Fleetwood United lift Second Division title |url=https://en.aletihad.ae/news/sport/4477503/fleetwood-united-lift-second-division-title |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Aletihad Newspaper |language=en-EN}} making him one of the most successful managers in the club’s short history.
In 2024, Fleetwood Town F.C. opted to discontinue operations in Dubai, leading to the sale of Fleetwood United F.C. to a new owner.{{Cite web |last=Paddock |first=Rob |date=2024-11-07 |title=Fleetwood Football Group part ways with Fleetwood United |url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/club-news/fleetwood-football-group-part-ways-with-fleetwood-united/#:~:text=And%20following%20a%20deal%20reached,Dubai%20well%20in%20the%20future. |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Fleetwood Town FC |language=en-GB}} Following this change, Rice decided to part ways with the club.
= City Football Club (2024–present) =
Shortly after leaving Fleetwood United F.C., Rice was appointed as head coach of Dubai City Football Club's First Team in the UAE Second Division League. Under his leadership, the club has risen to the top of the table and is currently in contention for the league championship and promotion to the UAE First Division League. His impact has been immediate, with the team showing significant improvement in both tactical play and consistency.
Coaching philisophy
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.