Sports
Former Wyckoff Player-Coach Named to NJCU Men's Soccer Staff
25-year Wyckoff soccer veteram coach Francesco Maneri is N.J. Soccer Association Hall of Famer
Fair Lawn resident and former boys soccer coach Francesco “Frank” Maneri has joined the coaching staff for the men’s soccer team at New Jersey City University in Jersey city.
Maneri, a well-known figure in soccer in North Jersey for decades, will make his collegiate coaching debut after a career that spans professional soccer as a player, coaching on the professional, high school and club levels, and many years as a soccer referee.
“He is one of the most well-known figures in North Jersey soccer and someone who commands respect,” said NJCU head coach Nansha Kalonji. “I've played under him on the club level and played with him in men's leagues. I have tremendous respect for him. He is an experienced referee and a student of the game who can have a great influence in our decision making during games.”
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Maneri served as assistant varsity boys' soccer coach at Fair Lawn High School from 1993-94, helping guide the Cutters to the state tournament for the first time in several decades with a 12-4 record.
He played professionally in the U.S.S.L. with the New Jersey Kings and New Jersey Rex in the 1970s, and was inducted into the New Jersey Soccer Association Hall of Fame as a player in 2008—just the 10th player ever to be inducted at that time. Maneri also played professionally for the U.S. Palermo Italia Team.
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He also served as a player-coach for the Real Wyckoff Soccer Club in the New Jersey Champions League for 25 years. He currently coaches in the distinguished U.S. PARMA Soccer Club and the Victory Soccer Academy, training Parma's U13 and U14 teams.
Maneri's soccer career includes 10 years as a college soccer referee and 15 years calling high school soccer matches. He possesses an 'F' License and an adult coaching license through the United States Soccer Federation.
A 1972 graduate of Garfield High School, he was an All-State and All-Bergen County selection as a center midfielder after scoring a remarkable 56 goals and 48 assists during his high school career.
Outside of soccer, he is a managing partner at the ICFM Financial Group. Maneri, 57, was born in Sicily, and lived there from 1954 to 1966. He currently resides in Fair Lawn with his wife Joann. The couple has four grown children.
