# Rob Gier

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**Robert James Dazo Gier** (born 6 January 1981) is a [football](/source/Association_football) [coach](/source/Manager_(association_football)) and former player who is the head coach of the [Philippines U22 team](/source/Philippines_national_under-23_football_team). As a player, he was mainly a [centre-back](/source/Defender_(association_football)#Centre_back).

Born in England, he progressed through the youth system of [Wimbledon](/source/Wimbledon_F.C.), making his debut in the [Football League First Division](/source/Football_League_First_Division) in October 2000 and played until [their final season](/source/2003%E2%80%9304_Wimbledon_F.C._season). He then played for [League Two](/source/EFL_League_Two) club [Rushden & Diamonds](/source/Rushden_%26_Diamonds_F.C.) until their relegation in 2006. He then played in the [Conference National](/source/Conference_National) for [Cambridge United](/source/Cambridge_United_F.C.), [Woking](/source/Woking_F.C.), and [Aldershot Town](/source/Aldershot_Town_F.C.) with whom he won the [2007–08 Conference Premier](/source/2007%E2%80%9308_Football_Conference) title and [Conference League Cup](/source/2007%E2%80%9308_Conference_League_Cup). After a brief spell with [Grays Athletic](/source/Grays_Athletic_F.C.), he spent the remainder of his career with his hometown club [Ascot United](/source/Ascot_United_F.C.) in the [Hellenic Football League](/source/Hellenic_Football_League).

Eligible to represent the [Philippines national team](/source/Philippines_national_football_team) through his mother, Gier made his international debut in 2009. He [captained](/source/Captain_(association_football)) the Philippines in the [2012](/source/2012_AFF_Championship) and [2014 AFF Championships](/source/2014_AFF_Championship).

## Early life

Rob Gier was born to Robert Gier and Rosario and grew up in [Ascot](/source/Ascot,_Berkshire), England. Upon coming from work, Rob's father would often bring him to football training. His mother, Rosario is a [Waray](/source/Waray_people) from [Tacloban](/source/Tacloban), [Leyte](/source/Leyte).[1]

## Club career

Gier began his career at [Wimbledon](/source/Wimbledon_F.C.), who had been relegated from the [Premiership](/source/Premier_League) in [1999–00](/source/1999%E2%80%932000_in_English_football) season. He made his debut the following season, starting a 0–0 home draw with [Sheffield United](/source/Sheffield_United_F.C.) on 28 October 2000.[citation needed]

In 2004, he joined [Rushden & Diamonds](/source/Rushden_%26_Diamonds_F.C.),[2] and was part of the side that was relegated from the [Football League](/source/Football_League) in [2005–06](/source/2005%E2%80%9306_in_English_football). He left the club following their relegation, and had spells in the Conference with [Cambridge United](/source/Cambridge_United_F.C.),[3] and [Woking](/source/Woking_F.C.) during the [2006–07](/source/2006%E2%80%9307_in_English_football) season.[citation needed]

He joined [Aldershot Town](/source/Aldershot_Town_F.C.) at the start of the [2007–08](/source/2007%E2%80%9308_in_English_football) season,[4] and was part of the side that won the Conference with a record points total. He made 38 league appearances for the club, all starts, but despite this was released at the end of the campaign.[5]

On 22 May 2008, [Grays Athletic](/source/Grays_Athletic_F.C.) announced they had signed Gier on a one-year contract,[6] however, he was [transfer listed](/source/Transfer_market#Transfer_list) by the club in January 2009, with financial pressures and manager [Wayne Burnett](/source/Wayne_Burnett)'s plans being cited as the reason.[7]

Gier joined [Hellenic League Premier Division](/source/Hellenic_Football_League) club [Ascot United](/source/Ascot_United_F.C.) in November 2009, after being released at the end of the previous season by Grays Athletic.[8] He announced his retirement in February 2016.[9]

## International career

Gier was called up to the [Philippines national team](/source/Philippines_national_football_team) in March 2009, for the [2010 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers](/source/2010_AFC_Challenge_Cup_qualification) in April, where they were due to face, [Turkmenistan](/source/Turkmenistan_national_football_team), [Bhutan](/source/Bhutan_national_football_team) and the [Maldives](/source/Maldives_national_football_team).[10] He made his international debut in [2010 AFC Challenge Cup qualification](/source/2010_AFC_Challenge_Cup_qualification) match against Bhutan on 14 April 2009 and also played against Maldives and Turkmenistan.[1]

On 10 September 2012 Gier scored his first international goal for the Philippines in a 2–1 loss to Laos,[11] however it was not a [FIFA](/source/FIFA)-sanctioned match. FIFA did not recognize the match's results after it was found out that the referees who officiated the match were not recognized by the world sporting body.[12]

He scored his first official international goal for the Philippines in the [2014 Philippine Peace Cup](/source/2014_Philippine_Peace_Cup) against [Chinese Taipei](/source/Chinese_Taipei_national_football_team).[13]

### International goals

- *Scores and results list the Philippines' goal tally first.*

Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 3 September 2014 Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila Chinese Taipei 1–0 5–1 2014 Philippine Peace Cup[13] 2. 25 November 2014 Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi Indonesia 4–0 4–0 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup

### Retirement

On 17 February 2016 Gier announced his retirement from playing competitive football at the age of 35.[14] Gier is set to focus on operating Zenith Soccer Tours and spending more time with his family.[15]

Earlier in 2014,[16] Gier established Zenith Soccer Tours, a youth football program in the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom). The idea was concepted by Gier, after he met with the Philippine national youth team who had a three-week training camp in the UK in 2013.[17]

## Coaching career

### Oxford University (Women's)

In November 2016, Gier was appointed as head coach of the [women's football team](/source/Oxford_University_Women's_Association_Football_Club) of the [University of Oxford](/source/University_of_Oxford).[18] He served in this role until May 2018.

Gier obtained a UEFA A coaching licence by September 2017. While still playing for the national team and Ascot United, he began finishing a two-year course to obtain the UEFA A coaching licence. He plans to coach in the United Kingdom while working for a [UEFA Pro Licence](/source/UEFA_Pro_Licence) that would make him eligible to coach in the [FA Premier League](/source/FA_Premier_League) and UEFA competitions. He has expressed his openness to coach for the Philippine national team.[19]

### Reading (Women's)

In 2017, Gier began working with [Reading F.C. Women](/source/Reading_F.C._Women) as its women's development coach.[19] He was eventually promoted as the Reading F.C. Women academy manager in July 2018.[20]

### Philippines U22

In March 2023, the [Philippine Football Federation](/source/Philippine_Football_Federation) announced that Rob Gier was appointed as the new head coach of [Philippines U22](/source/Philippines_national_under-23_football_team).[21][22][23]

## Honours

### Club

**Aldershot Town**

- [Conference National](/source/Conference_National): [2007–08](/source/Football_Conference_2007-08)
- [Conference League Cup](/source/Conference_League_Cup): [2007–08](/source/2007%E2%80%9308_Conference_League_Cup)

### International

**Philippines**

- [AFC Challenge Cup](/source/AFC_Challenge_Cup): Third [2012](/source/2012_AFC_Challenge_Cup)
- [Philippine Peace Cup](/source/Philippine_Peace_Cup): [2013](/source/2013_Philippine_Peace_Cup)

## Personal life

Gier is married and has two children. His family resides in England.[15]

## References

1. Biantan, Jack (15 March 2015). ["What really angers the Azkals captain?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150402154753/http://pinoyfootball.com/articles/11101676/What-really-angers-the-Azkals-captain). London: Pinoy Football. Archived from [the original](http://pinoyfootball.com/articles/11101676/What-really-angers-the-Azkals-captain) on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.

1. ["Rushden snap up trio"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rushden_and_diamonds/3745683.stm). BBC Sport. 24 May 2004. Retrieved 3 June 2008.

1. ["Cambridge to sign defender Hooper"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/6274549.stm). BBC Sport. 18 January 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2008.

1. ["Aldershot boss recruits quartet"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aldershot/6934485.stm). BBC Sport. 7 August 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2008.

1. ["Aldershot bid farewell to quartet"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aldershot/7375695.stm). BBC Sport. 30 April 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2008.

1. ["Grays Athletic add three to squad"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grays_athletic/7415127.stm). BBC Sport. 22 May 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2008.

1. ["Grays place four on transfer list"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grays_athletic/7823934.stm). BBC Sport. 12 January 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2009.

1. ["Gier coup for Ascot"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120926060544/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=62458). Non-League Daily. 20 November 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=62458) on 26 September 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2009.

1. [Former Azkals captain Rob Gier retires](http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2016/02/17/Azkals-captain-Rob-Gier-retires.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160224123220/http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2016/02/17/Azkals-captain-Rob-Gier-retires.html) 24 February 2016 at the Wayback Machine CNN Philippines, 17 February 2016

1. ["Robert James Gier Player Profile"](https://archive.today/20130117110336/http://www.azkalsfootballteam.com/team.php?id=135). azkalsfootballteam.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.azkalsfootballteam.com/team.php?id=135) on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2012.

1. Tupas, Cedelf P. (12 September 2012). ["Azkals yield to Laotians in ill-tempered 'friendly'"](http://sports.inquirer.net/61744/azkals-yield-to-laotians-in-ill-tempered-friendly). *Philippine Daily Inquirer*. inquirer.net. Retrieved 12 September 2012.

1. Decena, Karl (12 September 2012). ["FIFA: Azkals loss to Laos invalid"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120913233140/http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/fifa-azkals-loss-to-laos-invalid). interaksyon.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/fifa-azkals-loss-to-laos-invalid) on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2012.

1. Roy Moore (3 September 2014). ["Azkals dominate Chinese Taipei in rain-delayed match to open Peace Cup"](http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/377658/sports/football/azkals-dominate-chinese-taipei-in-rain-delayed-match-to-open-peace-cup). *GMA Network*. Retrieved 12 November 2014.

1. Del Rosario, Paolo (17 February 2016). ["Former Azkals captain Rob Gier retires"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160224123220/http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2016/02/17/Azkals-captain-Rob-Gier-retires.html). CNN Philippines. Archived from [the original](http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2016/02/17/Azkals-captain-Rob-Gier-retires.html) on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.

1. Terrado, Jonas (17 February 2016). ["Ex-Azkals skipper quits"](http://www.mb.com.ph/ex-azkals-skipper-quits/). Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 17 February 2016.

1. De Guzman, Icko (23 March 2015). ["Rob Gier: Zenith Soccer Tours and What's Next for the Azkals"](http://football.com.ph/rob-gier-zenith-soccer-tours-and-whats-next-for-the-azkals/). Football.com.ph. Retrieved 17 February 2016.

1. Reyes, Jaelle Nevin (7 February 2016). ["Azkals' Gier launches football program in UK"](https://www.rappler.com/sports/football/83193-rob-gier-zenith-soccer-tours/). Rappler. Retrieved 17 February 2016.

1. Tupas, Cedelf (15 November 2016). ["Gier urges Azkals: Give your all"](http://sports.inquirer.net/229515/gier-urges-azkals-give-your-all). Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 15 November 2016.

1. Go, Beatrice (11 September 2017). ["Rob Gier to focus on UK coaching career after getting UEFA A license"](https://www.rappler.com/sports/football/181834-rob-gier-coaching-career-uefa-license/). *Rappler*. Retrieved 12 September 2017.

1. ["LinkedIn Profile of Rob Gier"](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-gier-68682774/?originalSubdomain=uk). LinkedIn. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2021.

1. ["Former Philippines captain Rob Gier named Philippine Men's Under-22 head coach"](https://pff.org.ph/2023/03/23/former-philippines-captain-rob-gier-named-philippine-mens-under-22-head-coach/). *Philippine Football Federation*. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.

1. ["Football: Rob Gier to coach Azkals U22 squad for SEA Games"](https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/03/23/23/rob-gier-to-coach-azkals-u22-squad-for-sea-games). ABS-CBN News. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.

1. del Carmen, Lorenzo (23 March 2023). ["Rob Gier to lead Azkals U22 in 32nd SEA Games"](https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/rob-gier-to-lead-azkals-u22-in-32nd-sea-games/267090). Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 23 March 2023.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Rob Gier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Gier) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Gier?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.