| Personal Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Youssef Peterson Darbaki | |
| Date of birth | February 15, 1964 | |
| Place of birth | Casablanca, Morocco | |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | |
| Position | Head Coach | |
| Teams Managed | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1992–1994 1994–2008 1996–2006 1996–1999 1999–2006 2002–2004 2005– 2009– 2009– |
South High (MN) University of St. Thomas Cougars FC Minnesota Select State Minnesota All-Star African Minnesota Blast Twinstars Twinstars Academy Prarie Seeds Academy |
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Youssef Darbaki, (born February 15, 1964 in Casablanca, Morocco) was a Moroccan soccer midfielder. He was a participant in the 1982 World Cup Qualifiers. He is currently the Head Coach/Manager of the St. Paul Twin Stars, and their top academy team, Twinstars Academy.
Coaching Career
Youssef started off coaching South High in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1992-1994. He has been the associate coach for the University of St. Thomas from 1994-2008. He coached the Minnesota Select State Team from 1996-1999. He also coached Cougars FC from 1996–2006, which competed in the Minnesota Men's Premier League. He has coached the Minnesota All-Star African Team from 1999-2006. He coached the Minnesota Blast from 2002–2004, now Minnesota NSC United.The Minnesota Blast were the National Champions in 2004. He began coaching the Twinstars when they were formed in 2005. He also was the Coaching Director of the Wayzata Soccer Club, the Kelix Soccer Club, and the Three Rivers Soccer Club, all from Minnesota. He currently coaches the St. Paul Twin Stars and the Twinstars Academy team. He went to Brazil during August 2009 to receive his FIFA coaching licence in Sao Paolo
Philosophy of The Game
Youssef believes that the education of the Youth Programs and the In-House Programs are very important, and that the structure of club philosophy is important also. Brazilian and European style of play is important to the kids. Creating a family environment for all of the players and parents matters too. Working hand to hand with coaching directors to create a certain platform for the whole club's style. making all ages of one football club should play the same style. The communication with all the coaches and team managers is very important. Creating a curriculum that fits the clubs style of play helps with coaching. He believes bringing all of the ethnic groups to the club to get a variety of style is good. Youssef thinks it is important to be able to talk to them through communicating to them in their own language, so, he is fluent in Spanish, French, Arabic, English, Portuguese, and Italian.
Interesting Facts
He has coached talented players such as Francis Doe, Ansu Toure, and has had Tony Sanneh play for him. Also, Youssef is good friends with George Weah, a Liberian soccer player who won the Ballon d'Or, FIFA World Player of the Year, and African Player of the Year in 1995. His son, Karim Darbaki, is also starting his career.