Ben Morella
Summary
Elite-level Goalkeeper Coach with UEFA qualifications and a decade of experience across the A-League Women, Women’s Super League, and top European academies. Specialist in developing goalkeepers into professional and international players through tailored training, performance analysis, and talent identification. Passionate about high-performance environments and individual player development.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Women's A-League and Academy Goalkeeper Coach
Melbourne City FC
12.2022 - Current
- Goalkeeper coach for the professional Woman's A-League team
- Academy Goalkeepers from U14-U23 that compete in the National Premier League Victoria and A-League Youth.
- Creating and delivering sessions at a high level within the Melbourne City FC goalkeeper methodology framework.
- Taking a lead in individual development plans for all goalkeepers within the Melbourne City FC academy.
- Taking a lead in talent identification for young goalkeepers in Victoria and Australia.
- Responsible for set pieces for the Women's professional and U23 National Premier League team.
Women's First Team Goalkeeper Coach
Manchester City FC
08.2024
- Invited to lead the GK sessions for the duration of MCFC women's first team tour of Australia (5 weeks, 2 sessions + 2 matches)
- Worked with Women's Super League goalkeeper of the year Khiara Keating and Japanese international Ayaka Yamashita (74 caps).
- Worked very closely with Head Coach and other key staff to plan and deliver sessions with the goalkeepers, as well as delivering unit work and individual sessions.
- Worked as GK coach for 2 matches vs PSG and Leicester City.
1st Team Goalkeeper Coach / Head Coach U17 / Head of Academy
Røa Fotball Allianseidrettslag
09.2020 - 12.2022
- Responsible for designing and implementing the goalkeeping methodology for the entire club for both the boys and girls department's
- Daily and weekly video analysis reports with goalkeepers and relevant staff
- Design and implement the goalkeeper Individual Learning Plans for each GK; Tailoring specific targets and goals for the short and long term.
- Lead goalkeeper recruitment; Identify targets and organise scouting and meetings with potential targets
- Head Coach U17 - Run a staff of 5 within Norway’s elite youth football pathway.
Head of Academy Performance Analysis
Coventry City FC
07.2018 - 09.2020
- Responsible for the operation of the entire analysis of the Category 2 Academy (U9-U23)
- Heading a team of 6 analysts
- Coding/Clipping of all training sessions and games
- Creating pre and post match presentations (including opposition analysis) and presenting to both staff and players
- Management of large databases and best practice video libraries
Academy Performance Analyst
Crystal Palace FC
08.2017 - 06.2018
- Analyse, clip and code all academy home matches (U10-U23)
- Create presentations as requested by Head of Analysis and relevant staff
- Work with academy staff regarding opposition analysis for U18-U23 matches
Education
UEFA B GK Licence -
Norwegian Football Federation
01.2022
UEFA B Outfield -
German Football Federation
06-2024
Skills
- Elite Goalkeeping Development
- Talent Identification and Recruitment
- Individualised Learning Plans
- Advanced Video & Performance Analysis
- High-Performance Session Design
- Set Piece Strategy & Organisation
Accomplishments
- A-League Women League Title - Melbourne City - 2024/25 - Invincible Season
- A-League Women League Title - Melbourne City - 2023/24
- U21 National Premier League Champions - Melbourne City - 2023
- U17 Hamar Cup Champions - Røa Fotball Academy - 2022
- U18 Laola Cup Runners-Up - Røa Fotball Academy - 2022
- U17 Oslo League Champions - Røa Fotball Academy - 2022
Timeline
Women's First Team Goalkeeper Coach
Manchester City FC
08.2024
Women's A-League and Academy Goalkeeper Coach
Melbourne City FC
12.2022 - Current
1st Team Goalkeeper Coach / Head Coach U17 / Head of Academy
Røa Fotball Allianseidrettslag
09.2020 - 12.2022
Head of Academy Performance Analysis
Coventry City FC
07.2018 - 09.2020
Academy Performance Analyst
Crystal Palace FC
08.2017 - 06.2018
UEFA B GK Licence -
Norwegian Football Federation
UEFA B Outfield -
German Football Federation
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