"When Jurgen Klopp arrived at the club, I saw straight away that he’s exactly the same off the screen as he is on it. There’s not a face for the camera and then a face for other people – he’s exactly the same, which I love.
I met him on the first day he arrived at the club, and from moment one he’s had the same personality, same laugh, same enthusiasm.
It’s that authenticity that I think helps him to have such a big impact on players. Ultimately, he’s very good at understanding people: what makes them tick and their demands. He’s a very good communicator, too. You can see that by the way he holds himself with the press, but you also see it transfer very easily on to the training ground, and in conversations with everyone around the club.
I’ve been very fortunate here. The managers I’ve worked under have been big believers in what the academy can produce – neither have just talked a good game. And I’ve been incredibly well supported by ownership.
Both those things have helped to create an academy that is built on stronger foundations. One that I think will be more self-sufficient in the years to come. We’re getting better at what we do with the younger ages, which means the need to recruit at the age of 15, 16, 17 is going to decrease. I believe we’ve got players here now who will go on to play for the club.
I really enjoyed my time managing at Leatherhead and Exeter, but as long as I have the choice, I would always prefer to work with youth. Helping to develop them is what I enjoy. What I think I’m good at. And what I have a passion to try and improve at.
coachesvoice.com
"When Jurgen Klopp arrived at the club, I saw straight away that he’s exactly the same off the screen as he is on it. There’s not a face for the camera and then a face for other people – he’s exactly the same, which I love.
I met him on the first day he arrived at the club, and from moment one he’s had the same personality, same laugh, same enthusiasm.
It’s that authenticity that I think helps him to have such a big impact on players. Ultimately, he’s very good at understanding people: what makes them tick and their demands. He’s a very good communicator, too. You can see that by the way he holds himself with the press, but you also see it transfer very easily on to the training ground, and in conversations with everyone around the club.
I’ve been very fortunate here. The managers I’ve worked under have been big believers in what the academy can produce – neither have just talked a good game. And I’ve been incredibly well supported by ownership.
Both those things have helped to create an academy that is built on stronger foundations. One that I think will be more self-sufficient in the years to come. We’re getting better at what we do with the younger ages, which means the need to recruit at the age of 15, 16, 17 is going to decrease. I believe we’ve got players here now who will go on to play for the club.
I really enjoyed my time managing at Leatherhead and Exeter, but as long as I have the choice, I would always prefer to work with youth. Helping to develop them is what I enjoy. What I think I’m good at. And what I have a passion to try and improve at.
That’s what keeps the fire burning."