The organization is also announcing the hiring of the MAC Technical Staff! Marcello Alves (Click for Bio), will lead the organization as the Sporting Director and USL League Two Head Coach. Wagneau Eloi has been named as the Director of Soccer (Click for Bio), Claude Anelka (Click for Bio), has been hired as the Associate Director of Soccer, and Gabriel Reis (Click for Bio), has been announced as the clubs Director of Operations.
Coach Marcello Alves will lead Miami AC following a very successful time here in Miami. Upon arrival in the Fall of 2019 Coach Alves wasted no time making an impact in player development in South Florida. In 2020 Coach Alves assisted in leading Gulliver High School to a Class A State Championship Title! Following that he joined Miami United FC NPSL staff as the Head Coach for the 2021 season and won the regular season NPSL Sunshine Conference Championship, qualified the team for the 2022 Lamar Cup US Open, and was named the Sunshine Conference Coach of the Year!
“After a few years in Miami I am motivated to continue the good work we have been able to bring to the community for the last three years! There is a lot of talent that needs attention and I am ready to take on the challenge of creating a culture of success. Success will be defined by players and coaches wanting to come back every day because they love working together and they love the club. I can’t wait to get started,” stated Marcello Alves, Miami Athletic Club Sporting Director.
Coach Wagneau is no stranger to the Miami youth soccer sidelines. Coach Wagneau was the co-founder and Technical Director of PSG Florida when they opened in 2016. Coach Wagneau brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Miami Athletic Club following a successful playing career, highlighted by competing at Ligue 1 clubs - RC Lens AS Monaco, Guingamp, and AS Nancy. Coach Eloi also competed and was awarded the Champion of the Military World Cup.
“I am excited to work with Mayowa, Marcello, Claude, Gabriel, and all of the players, families, and coaches in the organization. This is a great opportunity to show our club's focus in creating programs that meet the needs of all players, not just focusing on the top 1%. We will look to develop programs for players aged 3-23+ of all playing abilities as well as offering adult playing opportunities. With this, we will have a laser focus on coaching education and making sure our coaches and educators are always learning and helping all players within the club. We will play in leagues that are meaningful but limit travel and family expenses. We will then make sure to challenge players, coaches, and teams by playing in competitively appropriate top events,” said Wagneau Eloi, Director of Soccer.
Gabriel Reis, Director of Operations had this to say, “The hiring of Marcello Alves, Wagneau Eloi, and Claude Anelka sends a strong message to the Miami area that we are extremely focused on fostering an environment where youth athletes can be inspired by coaches who care about development and education while challenging every athlete to be better. We are very excited to have some of the best in the industry at our club to help develop our future. These three hires alone put us on par with some of the top clubs in the country and we are excited to showcase this on a National Level.”