İsmail “Isi” Güleç is a German-born football coach of Turkish descent, currently serving as the head coach of the U17 team at SSV Ulm 1846, competing in the U17 Bundesliga. Born in Pforzheim in 1981, Güleç holds a UEFA A License and is a Pro License candidate. With over two decades of experience across both youth and senior levels, he is regarded as a well-respected and development-focused coach within the German football landscape.
Coaching Education and Background
Güleç began his coaching journey in 1998 as a student mentor and earned his first C License in 2000. He completed his UEFA A License in 2017 at the DFB headquarters in Hennef and is a member of the German Football Coaches Association (BDFL). Alongside his football credentials, he holds academic qualifications in business and IT.
Coaching Career
Güleç’s career includes a range of roles from grassroots to Bundesliga-level youth teams, with notable achievements in talent development and team management:
- SSV Ulm 1846: Currently in his third season as head coach of the U17 Bundesliga team. Previously served as head coach of the U16 squad and assistant coach for the U19 Bundesliga side.
- VfB Stuttgart: Between 2015 and 2019, he coached at the club’s youth academy and football school, helping shape the foundational skills of young talents.
- Senior Football: Held head coach and player-coach roles at clubs such as SG Untertürkheim, FC Fatihspor Pforzheim, and 1. FC Ersingen, gaining hands-on leadership experience in competitive environments.
Playing Career
Güleç’s playing career began in 1987 with 1. FC Eutingen and spanned several German clubs across the Oberliga and Landesliga levels. He also spent the 2003–2004 season with Adana Demirspor in Turkey’s second division, gaining international playing experience as a central defender.
Coaching Philosophy
Güleç’s football philosophy emphasizes balance, flexibility, and intensity. He advocates a style of play that combines structured possession with compact, coordinated defending. His teams are expected to play every match as if it were their last, with high focus, tactical discipline, and collective effort. Key principles in his tactical approach include zonal pressing, transitional awareness, and positional responsibility.
Leadership Approach
Güleç leads through empathy, clear communication, and accountability. He values creating a culture of trust and development, building strong one-on-one relationships with players while maintaining a clear collective identity. Open to innovation and continuous learning, he fosters an environment where both staff and players are encouraged to grow.
Personal Life
Based in Stuttgart, he is a dedicated family man and father. Outside of football, he shows interest in personal development, mentoring, and education, aligning with his broader vision of developing players both on and off the field.
Vision
İsmail Güleç is committed to nurturing not only future professionals but also well-rounded individuals. His goal is to add long-term value to every footballing structure he is part of by creating sustainable pathways, fostering responsibility, and promoting intelligent, team-oriented football.
Our Exclusive Interview with İsmail Güleç
Who is İsmail Güleç outside of football?
Outside of football, I work as a Key Account Manager in IT sales, and I’m a husband and father. The little free time I have, I prefer spending with my family, especially with my five-year-old son. Among friends, I’m known as a funny person, and most would agree with that.
What philosophies guide your coaching style and leadership approach, particularly in youth development?
It is important to me that my players give their maximum effort in every phase of training and matches. I coach to support and try to speak with the players rather than talk at them. Training is my domain, and that is where we discuss what we want to achieve. The match belongs to the players. I am there as a supporter. We go through various training methods, but in competition, players must find the right decisions on their own. In youth elite football, it is also essential to respond to individual needs. One player may prefer explanations on the field, another may understand better with a tactics board, and a third may prefer video analysis.
How do you balance long-term player development with the competitive demands of Bundesliga-level youth football?
It is not always easy to speak about long-term player development. I tend to think in monthly terms. At the club, we conduct monthly player evaluations to support each player’s individual growth. In the youth Bundesliga, players compete weekly against the best in their age group. This applies both to football performance and personal development. The demands are high. Players must be prepared each week for matches, travel, and different stages of the season. From a competitive standpoint, I think week by week. In terms of development, we think month by month. It is not realistic to say I will develop a player to their peak in 12 months, but I can improve them month by month. If we succeed in that over time, we reach the bigger goal without realizing it. We set milestones and support players individually beyond team training. A U17 player should aim to move up to the U19 level. That is our shared goal. Of course, the player wants to become a professional, but that is not a goal, it is a dream. I cannot promise a championship, but I can promise improvement. If each player gets better, and we improve as a team and function well together, our chances of becoming champions increase. The motto is to reach goals in order to fulfill a dream.
Which experiences or mentors have had the greatest impact on your career so far?
I have had the advantage or luck to work with children, teenagers, and adult footballers. I know both amateur and professional conditions. In every area, I have had experiences that have helped shape my path. You learn from every situation, on and off the pitch. As a player, I had the opportunity to work with strong coaches and teammates. During my U17 and U19 years, there were no youth Bundesligas. We played with a small club in the top division against the biggest teams. That is where I learned that you can achieve a lot even with limited resources if you have team spirit and determination. Every coach, staff member, and player I worked with left an impact. When I was still a student and player, some of my coaches and teachers told me I should become a coach.
What kind of books, topics, or activities do you enjoy that contribute to your growth as a coach and educator?
I have to admit I prefer reading sports articles over football or training books. I enjoy everything related to football and like to observe things directly. Conversations with fellow coaches and players are essential for me. I am interested in training methods and prefer learning from practice over theory. Ideally, a coach should find a balance between both. I believe every conversation, training session, and match helps you grow and improve.
What are your future goals as a coach, both in terms of team success and personal development?
Regarding team success, we are currently very satisfied. Most of our players are progressing to the U19 level, and they have developed well over the past months. The step from U17 to U19 Bundesliga is not to be underestimated, especially as it involves two age groups and more physical challenges. My future goal is to continue working in a professional environment, help players improve, grow personally, and one day work in the licensed professional sector. That remains my dream.
