FCU Announces UEFA Pro as New Manager

Image property of the Kenya Times

On 15 August, FC Ulaanbaatar announced the signing of Andreas Spier as head coach for the 2024/2025 Mongolian Premier League season. Born in Bucharest, Romania but spending most of his life in Germany, Spier holds an UEFA Pro license from the German Football Federation. His career spans decades and includes stints with both national and club teams with posts throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Spier's impact was felt immediately as he was on the bench for FCU's opening match of the season on 16 August. The club went on to defeat last year's champions SP Falcons 1-0 thanks to a goal by another new European signing, French defender Enzo Dietrich.

Spier becomes the third European coach in club history, following San Marinese Marco Ragini and Serbian Vojislav Bralusic who left the club in April 2024 with two matches remaining in the season after the relationship between he and club management soured. With the addition of Spier, FC Ulaanbaatar has signaled its intent to return to the top of the table and the AFC Cup after reaching those heights just two seasons ago.

FC Ulaanbaatar is not the German's first assignment in East Asia. From 2018-2019, Spier was stationed in China as a technical director during his time at Eintracht Frankfurt. His role was to prepare coaches and teach stakeholders about the club's philosophy.

In recent years, the German coaching model has been successful in Mongolia with Michael Weiss leading the most successful period in national team history. FC Ulaanbaatar can only hope for at least half that much magic from Weiss's countryman.

Andreas Spier Career

1995-2000 SG Hoechst (Head Coach)

2000-2002 Kickers Offenbach (Technical Director, U19)

2002-2005 German Football Federation (Talent Development Coach)

2005-2006 SV Darmstadt (Assistant Coach)

2005-2006 VfB Stuttgart (Assistant Coach)

2006-2007 SV Wehen Wiesbaden (Technical Director, U8 & U23)

2007-2013 German Football Federation (International Football Development in Rwanda)

2008 Rwanda women's national team (Head Coach)

2008 Rwanda women's U20 national team (Head Coach)

2009-2013 APR FC (Academy Head Coach)

2013-2014 APR FC (Head Coach)

2014-2016 Romania U18 national team (Head Coach)

2016-2018 Kenyan Football Federation (Technical Director)

2016, 2018 Kenya U17 national team (Head Coach)

2018-2019 Eintracht Frankfurt (Technical Director)

2022 Gor Mahia FC (Head Coach, Kenyan Premier League)