COACHING STAFF

Rade’s professional soccer career began in 1969 at age 16, when he signed with FK Radnicki in Kragujevac, Yugoslavia - his native country. During his time playing for FK Radnicki, Rade also played on the Yugoslavian Junior National Team, U21 National Team and Olympic National Team. In 1967, his Junior National Team won a silver medal in the UEFA Cup, and in 1971, Rade’s U21 National Team won a gold medal in the European Cup. Overall, Rade played 42 games representing his native Yugoslavia. In 1979, Rade moved to the U.S. and played in the North American Soccer League (NASL) and Metro Soccer League (MISL) with the Philadelphia Fury and Montreal Manic. Rade returned to Yugoslavia from 1984 to 1993. to coach at his former club, FK Radnicki. While there, he coached the Junior League team to the U14 Yugoslavia National Cup. Rade was also a member of the coaching staffs for the Football Association of Yugoslavia and National Youth Team. He held positions as a National Youth Team Selector, National Soccer Camp instructor and head coach of the Professional League team. In 1994, Rade once again came to the U.S. and has been coaching youth soccer in the Chicago suburbs ever since. Rade brings over 48 years of professional soccer experience to Ajax FC Chicago, where he continues to develop the skills of the players in our girls program.

Chris Drillenburg grew up in The Netherlands, where he played, coached and managed soccer for more than 20 years – at all youth and adult levels. For several years, he played for the Dutch National College team and at the highest amateur level with his soccer club. As a coach and manager at club level, Chris was responsible for youth development programs for players from U8 to U18, and he has also coached at the highest amateur level. Chris’s approach is based on the philosophy of the Dutch National Soccer Association, which focuses on individual soccer skills, personal development, and team orientation. Chris has coached youth soccer in the USA since 2009. It quickly became clear that - also in the US - his philosophy and approach leads to major improvements at both individual player and team levels. He is very committed to give more youth players the opportunity to benefit from his coaching methods and experience.

Since 2005, Mike has been coaching youth soccer, concentrating on developing individual foot skills and the fundamental concepts of soccer. Prior to coaching with Ajax, Mike coached for various local clubs, including Castle AC, NSA and Naperville International Soccer Club.