Berry: Kudos to Scotland on Glasgow Rangers job; footballers must get coaching badges

“[…] Jason Scotland is a perfect example of a great player who has taken the bull by the horns and gained his B and A licences, and no doubt, in due course, his Pro Licence—in a determined and ambitious manner to establish himself as a top coach.

“His recent appointment as academy coach at Scottish champions, Glasgow Rangers FC, following his youth coaching position at Scotland Premier League team Hamilton Academical FC, is a credit to his determination and focus on progressing up the coaching ladder…”

The following Letter to the Editor on life after retirement for professional footballers was submitted to Wired868 by British football agent Mike Berry:

Photo: Ex-Trinidad and Tobago international and 2006 World Cup player Jason Scotland poses in his new kit as a Glasgow Rangers youth coach.

It is so important for players to plan their futures after the playing career finishes. Most of them do not and languish in an afterlife of frustration and disappointment.

It is imperative that they at least consider gaining coaching qualifications to keep abreast of rapidly changing and improving modern techniques and strategy.

It is therefore pleasing to see ex-clients of mine from Trinidad and Tobago gain UEFA B licences, A Licenses and he holy grail of the UEFA Pro Licence, which will propel them up the coaching ladder in the UK and elsewhere.

These qualifications are expensive and require a great degree of determination, study and hard work to achieve and many fall by the wayside; but in the modern game they are essential.

Jason Scotland is a perfect example of a great player who has taken the bull by the horns and gained his B and A licences, and no doubt, in due course, his Pro Licence—in a determined and ambitious manner to establish himself as a top coach.

Photo: Former Trinidad and Tobago and England Premier League forward Jason Scotland (centre) during his stint as youth coach at Scotland Premier League club Hamilton Academical.

His recent appointment as academy coach at Scottish champions, Glasgow Rangers FC, following his youth coaching position at Scotland Premier League team Hamilton Academical FC is a credit to his determination and focus on progressing up the coaching ladder.

I am confident he will develop into a really top coach and do well in the game in the UK and, one day, in his beloved T&T.

Dennis Lawrence is another Trini who dedicated himself to obtaining the highest qualifications during his spells at Wigan and Everton in the England Premier League and holds a validated UEFA Pro Licence, which is the highest coaching qualification. He has been hired by the Welsh FA to mentor and present coaching courses to aspiring coaches from the UK and Europe.

I am confident Dennis will be back in the game soon after his three year stint with T&T as the Men’s National Senior Team head coach, which has added to his wealth of coaching experience and knowledge.


Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team football coach Dennis Lawrence addresses the media after his team’s record 15-0 win over minnows, Anguilla, on 10 November 2019.
(Copyright Allan V Crane/CA-Images/Wired868)

Clayton Ince is another determined student of the game and it was pleasing to see him considered as the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team goalkeeper coach, which is a no-brainer as he is a superb coach and a hardworking, genuine and iconic figure in T&T footballing history.

Carlos Edwards, one of the most exciting T&T players of all time, is studying for his B licence and has all the attributes and experience to become a top coach also and good luck to him.

There is life after football but it has to be planned and anticipated, otherwise the shock of waking up with no future can have a very detrimental effect and lead to frustration, disappointment and oblivion.

The game has changed dramatically from a two word presentation: ‘win games’, to a very complex, detailed and scientific format, which requires a more complete and intricate understanding of the game—including strategy, selection, nutrition, analysis, tactics, motivation, psychology and man-management, at a far higher level than in the old days.

Photo: Ex-Trinidad and Tobago international and World Cup 2006 goalkeeper Clayton Ince throws out the ball during the 2015 Wired868 Football Festival at the UWI SPEC Ground in St Augustine.
(Copyright Wired868)

My final advice to young players and indeed players at their peak is to be mindful of your life after football, and plan for what you would like to do when the ride finishes; because it will one day, and more abruptly than you might expect.

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