Bio

Werner Thissen - Head Coach (11th Season; 58-110-13)

Werner Thissen is in his 11th season as the head coach of the Fitchburg State men's soccer team. He was named the 11th head coach in program history back in the Fall of 2010.

Thissen joined the Fitchburg State coaching staff after spending two seasons as the Head Varsity Boys Coach at Fitchburg High School. Over his two seasons, the Red Raiders competed highly in the Division I Mid-Wachusett A league, facing powerhouse schools such as Algonquin High, Wachusett Regional, and Leominster High. At Fitchburg, Thissen was responsible for all facets of coaching, including training and preparation, pre-season strength and conditioning, scouting and recruitment.

Prior to joining Fitchburg High, Thissen spent one year as the Goalkeeper Coach of the Olympic Development program in Lancaster, Mass., and five seasons as the Youth Development Coach at Club GSV Geldern in Geldern, Germany.  He was also the Head Coach of the Boys Junior Varsity team at Fitchburg High School from 2007-08.

Thissen is a 1990 graduate of Wirichs GMBH & Co in Krenfeld, Germany, earning his Associate's Degree in Management and Distribution Trade. He was a two-year member of the German Military soccer team, earning starting goalkeeping duties for the State of NRW. Regarded as one of the top goalkeepers in his region, Thissen was a four-year member of Club Tus Gelria 09 (semi-pro), serving as the starting keeper in the fourth division.

A product of the Club GW Vernum youth system, Thissen is also a 1994 graduate of the Institute of Management in Muennerstadt, Germany, an elite Private Management Academy. A native of Germany, Thissen earned his USSF D License here in the states in 2009, while also obtaining his NSCAA Regional Goalkeeping diploma.