by Ian MacLeod : 3 minute read

NUFC are hiring… but what are they actually looking for?!

With an estimated global audience of 3.5 billion, everyone and their dog is a football expert. WhatsApp groups are a buzz with what the manager should have done, substitutions they should/shouldn’t have made and the stats (oh the stats) are somehow able to support both sides of every argument. (We dont even need to watch the game to have an opinion, the handy “xG” statistics tells us what the score should have been!)

So, naturally, with such detailed analysis at the fingertips of even the most casual fan the hunt for ‘marginal gains’ is vitally important! A new tactic, a new technique or a set piece routine could be the difference between success and failure, promotion and relegation, £millions or administration. Which brings us to; the ‘set piece’ coach:

I remember years back watching a short documentary about a ‘throw-in’ specialist who travelled around Europe working with various teams, and I remember thinking ‘how much affect can that really have?’ , but now a set piece coach, and the accompanying data analysis that gets poured into the game, is reasonably common.

I’ve been lucky enough to spend some time sharing ideas with the NUFC academy in recent times (special thanks to Ben Dawson [🦊], Neil Winskill and Mark Bertram) and the amount of time and resource that is dedicated to planning, review and analysis is impressive. Now, on to the job advert…

Firstly, this isn’t a pitch (but Eddie, I am ready!) but after quickly scanning the advert one thing jumped out at me: “Essential : UEFA A License (Minimum)”

With so many teams looking for an advantage, something different and a new take to move the needle, why look for someone who has been ‘formally’ educated within the current coach education system?

You’re looking for choreographed plays?
Need to create chances in small spaces?
Looking for a new take on things?

Solution = Basketball Coach!

Just imagine it:

• Aleksander Isak runs through an elevator screen with Dan Burn and Joelinton!
• Little Keiran Trippier sets a back screen for BDB and Bruno Guimaraes chips one over the top for the alley-oop!
• A fake DHO (DFO?) keeper with Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon!

You could have great fun!

But first, you need to think outside the box!

For those who may be interested, the closing date is 16th June. (Again, Eddie : I’m ready!)

Coach Mac