Kicking it with Nicolas Celotti
Learn about Nicolas Celotti, a former soccer player, who’s now the head coach of 4 teams in his grassroots system.
On our second installment of our “Coach’s Corner”, we talked to Nicolas Celotti, a former soccer player who also practiced many sports such as handball, high jump, long jump, and soccer. He had the opportunity to sign a professional contract with an Argentinian team while studying sports journalism.
In 2020, he received an offer from a Portuguese team, six months later, he moved to Germany to play for a club there, then Italy 2 years later. After moving to the United States in he received his USSF Coaching License and is currently the head coach of four teams in his grassroots system.
Q: You played multiple sports before choosing to pursue a soccer career, what made you choose soccer over the other sports?
NC: Being born in Argentina, where people basically breathe soccer, you kind of have to like it if you want to be part of the culture. Soccer is by far the most popular sport in the country and everywhere you go, there’s either a game going on or a news channel talking about the next matches. I guess one reason I stuck with it is because I was good at it. Another big reason was my dad. He always pushed me to play and did everything he could to support me through the academy system. I remember once a coach told me I should focus on high jump because I was really good at it too, but for me, it was always clear: soccer was my sport.
Q: During your playing career, you’ve traveled around the world, what are the most notable differences when you’re playing in different countries?
NC: Yes, I was lucky enough to play and perform in many countries. I think the biggest differences are actually outside the field. The cultures in some places are very different, and sometimes it’s not easy to feel at home. I never had any issues with other players and always enjoyed my experiences playing abroad. But if I compare how I felt in my home country to how I felt in other places, there’s definitely a difference.
On the field, there are some changes too, but you adapt to them pretty quickly. For example, in Argentina and Italy, the game is very physical and tactical. Players are always looking for contact and play really hard. One mistake and you can lose the game. In Germany, on the other hand, the game is more technical. Teams focus on keeping the ball and playing it fast. Even the smallest contact usually gets called as a foul, so players try to avoid getting into physical battles for the ball.
Q: After retiring as a player, what made you decide to transition into coaching?
NC: Since I was a kid, I’ve always been drawn to the idea of becoming a coach. I used to play a soccer manager video game where I’d analyze my opponents and choose my formation based on their strengths and weaknesses. Just like in chess, I paid attention to every move. Even during my playing days, I loved when we studied our rivals and the coach broke down their tactics. That analytical mindset has always stayed with me. When I moved to the States, I saw it as the perfect moment to adapt and finally take the step toward becoming a coach.
Q: Coaching multiple teams definitely sounds challenging, how do you manage your workload throughout the seasons?
NC: Yes, you're absolutely right—that’s a big challenge. Right now, I’m coaching several teams across different age groups and skill levels. Some might think it’s easier to run the same training sessions for all of them, but unfortunately, that approach doesn’t work. Each team is its own world and needs to be treated based on its specific needs. An exercise that works perfectly for one group can be completely ineffective, or even chaotic, with another.
I’ve seen many coaches get frustrated when a team can’t execute a drill that worked for a different group. That’s why I take the time every day to build my own “activity book,” full of warm-up drills, game-form exercises, and non-game-form exercises. I assign each activity a difficulty level, and based on the age and skill level of the team, I build my session accordingly.
Beyond the technical side, understanding how to connect with players emotionally is just as important. Competitive teams often enjoy being pushed and challenged, while recreational teams might shut down if pressured too much. A good coach needs to be adaptable, ready to shift gears quickly, and adjust their approach to match the players they’re working with.
Q: Is there a specific philosophy you tend to preach to your players or amongst yourself?
NC: Yes. My main philosophy, especially when it comes to youth development, is: "Sometimes you win, and sometimes you learn." I see far too many parents who focus only on the result and whether their kids win. I don’t blame them; it’s natural. But the truth is, we often see losing as a failure, when in reality, it’s one of the most valuable tools for growth, especially for young players.
When I lost a game as a player, I would spend the next day reflecting on what I and the team could have done better. The following week, we trained with a clear focus on those mistakes, aiming to improve and come back stronger. I’m not saying that losing every game is the key to growth, but when you do lose, it’s important to take something from it. It’s an opportunity to learn, improve, and become a better player and team.
Q: Every team has different expectations, situations, and goals, so in your opinion, what’s your definition of a “successful” team?
NC: That’s a great question. In fact, it’s one we discussed in depth during the USSF coaching license courses: How do you measure success? For some people, it’s only about winning. If you're the champion, you succeeded; if you lost the final, you failed. But that mindset is far from the reality, especially in youth soccer.
Most kids in the United States stop playing soccer around the age of 12. That statistic alone should make us reflect on how far we are, as coaches and parents, from truly achieving success with our players. To me, success is when a team shows up to training excited to improve, knowing that failure isn’t the end and it's just part of the process. If every player on my team finishes the season eager to start the next one and wants to keep growing together, then I believe we’ve truly succeeded.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of being a coach?
NC: For me, it’s when you see the growth of the players who truly worked hard for it. At the end of each season, the academies reorganize the teams for the next one. Having the opportunity to tell the players who showed commitment and gave 100% that they’ll be moving up to a higher-level team is something I really enjoy. It’s a powerful way to show that hard work pays off.
Thank you again to Nicolas Celotti for talking with Behind the Coaching, I had a great time learning about his background, experience, and perceptive within the soccer industry.
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