Author: Marco Garofalo

Marco Garofalo is a coach specialized in goalkeeper training, with a solid academic background and extensive experience at both youth and first-team levels. Graduating from the University of Foro Italico – IUSM – in Sports Science in 2009, he obtained his master’s degree in Science and Technique of Sport in 2012 from the same institution. His technical qualifications include the title of Soccer School Instructor obtained in 2007, the UEFA B License acquired in 2008, the amateur goalkeeper coach license, the professional goalkeeper coach license, and the UEFA GK A license.

In the academic context, he has shown a deep interest in research and teaching. He authored theses focusing on the role of the goalkeeper in soccer schools and on the analysis of the technical and motor performance of amateur goalkeepers. He participated in high-level courses, including “Preparation for Success in Football” organized by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), featuring speakers like Jens Bangsbo, Luca Marchegiani, Roberto Mancini, and Julio Velasco. Additionally, he contributed as a lecturer to the first-level Master’s program specializing in physical training for youth sectors at the e-Campus University of Rome.

His professional experience is rich and diverse. He began his career in the youth sector, collaborating with clubs such as S.S. Villa Flaminia, S.S. Tor Tre Teste, and A.S.D. Nuova Lodigiani. From 2012 to 2013 and again from 2015 to 2019, he worked with the youth sector of SS Lazio. At the first-team level, he served as a goalkeeper coach for amateur teams like U.S. Zagarolo and Flaminia Civita Castellana in Serie D.

International exposure is a significant component of his career path. In the 2019-2020 season, he worked with Kilmarnock FC in the Scottish Premiership, also participating in the Europa League. Subsequently, from 2020 to 2022, he was the Director of Goalkeeper Coaches for teams ranging from U12 to U23 and served as an assistant to the first team at Shakhtar Donetsk, participating in the Youth League and acting as a technical assistant to the first-team goalkeeper coach. In the 2022-2024 seasons, he was the goalkeeper coach for Atromitos FC in the Greek Super League.

Garofalo has always shown an interest in continuous learning and knowledge exchange. He participated as a guest at the “International Goalkeeper Congress” in Munich in 2009 and visited the training centers of prestigious clubs like Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Getafe, Manchester United, and Manchester City, attending training sessions and deepening his understanding of innovative methodologies. In the academic field, he was a lecturer at the e-Campus university of Rome for the master’s degree in “Specialist of physical training for youth sectors”. He was the rapporteur of the thesis “The heart rate of the amateur football goalkeeper: analysis of variations in competition”. Author of several publications in the journal “Il nuovo calcio” and “Scienza e sport” (“Comparing goalkeepers – an insight into the Scottish model” and “The heart rate of the amateur football goalkeeper”) .

His career is characterized by a combination of academic education, practical experience, and a constant commitment to innovation in goalkeeper training.

Academic Titles and Technical Qualifications

• Graduated from the University of Foro Italico – Sport and Movement – IUSM in 2009.
• Master’s degree in Science and Technique of Sport from the University of Foro Italico – Sport and Movement – IUSM in 2012.
• Soccer School Instructor, obtained in 2007.
• UEFA B License Coach, acquired in 2008.
• Professional Goalkeeper Coach (license obtained at Coverciano).
• UEFA GK A License.

University Activities

• Author of the thesis: “The Goalkeeper in the Soccer School (and His Coach).”
• Author of the thesis: “Analysis of the Technical/Motor Performance of the Amateur Football Goalkeeper.”
• Participant in the course “Preparation for Success in Football” at CONI, featuring speakers Jens Bangsbo, Luca Marchegiani, Roberto Mancini, and Julio Velasco.
• Volunteer participant in the “Football and Science” course, Master’s degree in Science and Technique of Sport at the University of Foro Italico – Sport and Movement – IUSM.
• Since 2008, he has voluntarily engaged in a series of meetings with football coaches and goalkeeper coaches.
• In 2009, participant at the “International Goalkeeper Congress” in Munich, organized by Andy Köpke and UEFA delegates, attending as a guest.
• In 2010, visited and observed training sessions at the sports centers of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Getafe.
• In 2011, visited and observed training sessions at the sports centers of Manchester United and Manchester City.
• In 2022-2024 lecturer at the e-Campus university of Rome for the master’s degree in “Specialist of physical training for youth sectors”.

Goalkeeper Coach – Youth Sector

• 2002-2003 Season: S.S. Villa Flaminia
• 2003-2004 Season: S.S. Tor Tre Teste
• 2004-2005 Season: A.S.D. Nuova Lodigiani
• 2005-2006 Season: A.S.D. Nuova Lodigiani
• 2007-2008 Season: A.S.D. Nuova Lodigiani
• 2008-2009 Season: A.S.D. Nuova Lodigiani
• 2009-2010 Season: A.S.D. Nuova Lodigiani

Goalkeeper Coach – First Team

• 2010-2011 Season: U.S. Zagarolo (National Amateur League, Serie D)
• 2011-2012 Season: Albalonga (National Amateur League)

Goalkeeper Coach – Youth Sector

• 2012-2013 Season: SS Lazio

Goalkeeper Coach – First Team

• 2013-2014 Season: Flaminia Civita Castellana (National Amateur League, Serie D)

Goalkeeper Coach – Youth Sector

• 2015-2019 Seasons: SS Lazio

Goalkeeper Coach – First Team

• 2019-2020 Season: Kilmarnock FC (Scottish Premiership – Europa League)

Director of Goalkeeper Coaches from U12 to U23 and First-Team Assistant

• 2020-2022 Seasons: Shakhtar Donetsk (Youth League)

Acting Goalkeeper Coach – First Team

• 2022-2024 Seasons: Atromitos FC (Super League)