Since September 2022, the Goalkeeping.com Academy has opened a new, exciting training location in Vienna's 11th district . It's headed by none other than Austria Vienna goalkeeper Mirko Kos , who, between his Bundesliga and European Cup matches, coaches young goalkeepers aged 8 to 17. We visited the site and took a closer look at his innovative training program!
Individual training in age-appropriate small groups
Training at the Vienna Goalkeeper Performance Center usually takes place on Mondays and is divided into small groups according to age and skill level . With a maximum of four goalkeepers per group, Mirko Kos can provide individual attention to each one. For the younger participants, playful elements are incorporated between drills to maintain concentration. "Goalkeeper training is very demanding and sometimes complex for the kids. That's why I always try to include games to keep their focus," explains Mirko Kos. For the older goalkeepers, the drills become more complex and intensive, as they are already able to endure an hour of pure goalkeeper training.
Professional life and youth development: Mirko Kos as a role model
We were naturally interested in how the role of goalkeeping coach fits into the daily life of a professional footballer. Mirko Kos reveals: “As a professional, I’m fortunate to have a lot of flexibility in managing my time. I want to use this time to pass on my professional knowledge to the young goalkeepers. It’s also my goal to give them some insight into my life as a professional. So, every now and then, I invite the kids to the stadium for the games! ” Mirko has already completed training as a fitness trainer and nutrition coach and is planning further training in goalkeeping soon to deepen his expertise.
A unique training opportunity for young talents
The Goalkeeper Performance Center (TLZ) primarily targets young goalkeepers who often receive little specific goalkeeping training at their clubs. However, up-and-coming talents from top clubs also take advantage of this additional training opportunity. One example is 11-year-old Manuel, who already plays for Austria Vienna. What the (so far only) boys particularly appreciate about Mirko: "The exercises with Mirko are strenuous, but fun. I'm definitely sticking with it!" Dive deeper and watch the training in our YouTube video .
Year-round training: Soon in the gym!
Goalkeeper training at the TLZ takes place year-round. From mid-November, the Austria Academy's indoor facility offers optimal conditions for the weekly training sessions, regardless of the weather. This ensures continuous development.
