A group of Scotland's most promising up-and-coming coaches have taken their next steps on their coaching journey, with the conclusion of the Scottish FA's inaugural Elite Coaches Development Programme.
The ground-breaking new offering, designed to help a hand-picked group of aspiring coaches reach the highest level of football, concluded earlier this month, following a 12-month period of intense learning.
The fully-funded, highly-technical course went in-depth on a number of key topics, including coaching methodology, communication skills, performance psychology, physical performance and tactical analysis.
The nine candidates were selected after a competitive selection process, with selection based on numerous factors, including potential and strength of ambition.
The course, led by Chris Docherty, Head of Men's Elite Strategy, and co-author of the Scottish FA's Transition Report, consisted of 12 meet-ups over the past year, with notable speakers, including Joao Tralhao (former Benfica, Borussia Dortmund and Monaco assistant coach), Edu Rubio (former assistant coach at West Ham and Wolves), Alan Irvine (assistant Coach at Everton and the Scotland Men's National Team) and Marc Rochon (Croatian National Team Analyst).
The programme concluded with each candidate presenting on a topic of their choosing, and some exceptional presentations were submitted, on topics including tactical theory, periodisation, club strategy and psychology.
Chris Docherty, Head of Men's Elite Strategy, Scottish FA: "It has been a pleasure to work with this group of young, driven Scottish coaches.
"The focus of the course was on football at the very highest level and we brought guest speakers who have been at the coal face in the top 5 leagues, in a World Cup final, and in some of Europe's best youth development systems.
"We put together a course that was intensive and demanding in a range of areas, because to be an Elite level coach in today's football requires that level of knowledge and detail, but the candidates have gone over and above in their efforts.
"I am proud to have worked with them over the year and have no doubt about the potential of the group as they embark on their next steps within the game."
Elite Coaches Development Programme Candidates
Angus Beith Head Coach, Hearts B
Chris Hendry Under-19 Assistant Coach, Celtic
Rachel Mair Individual Player Development Coach, Glasgow City
Grant Sandison Under-15 Coach, Hearts
Joe McGlynn Individual Development Coach & Analyst, Nottingham Forest
Liam Ross Professional Development Phase, Rangers
Scott Robertson Head of Football Development, Dundee
Steven Mundell Youth Development Phase, Rangers
Willie McNab Head of Children's, Celtic
Meet the Candidates
After the graduation, we spoke to three of the candidates about their experience on the course, their backgrounds and their future ambitions.
Joe McGlynn, Individual Development Coach & Analyst, Nottingham Forest: "I found the course really beneficial from a career perspective. There were so many learning practices, particularly looking outside of Scotland, as it's important to sometimes look out with our own fishbowl.
"There were a number of different guest speakers who covered off their own working practices and because there were only nine of us you had that close-knit environment where you would feel comfortable to speak in front of everybody. In particular, we had the former Borussia Dortmund assistant manager, Joao Tralhao, who came in and that was an incredible insight and we felt we could ask detailed questions in a more informal setting.
"In terms of my own pathway, I started in analysis at Stenhousemuir and entered the coaching side through coach analysis role and I was fortunate to work with so many great coaches at the likes of Hamilton Academical and Queen's Park.
"I then enjoyed on the course focusing on the how we develop players individually within a team environment and I was then inspired to go down that individual development role now and that's now the role I'm in now at Nottingham Forest. The interest in this particular type of job stemmed from an individual task I completed on the course so it's been massive for me in that regard.
"It's been a great step forward, focusing on one area rather than the broader roles I had before, and it's fantastic to be working at a Premier League club with such great players and facilities."
Steven Mundell, Youth Development Phase Coach, Rangers: "The biggest thing for the course was the fact it was a tight-knit group and more of a 'Boot Room' feel about it. The fact you're able to take the time to debate, discuss things really takes the development and learning to the next level.
"The candidates were all well chosen because everyone wanted to learn and everyone was willing to take on board other opinions and challenge their own thoughts.
"It was a lot of work but we got so much out of it and when we got to the back end of each topic you felt like you'd progressed as a coach you felt like you had developed a greater understanding every time.
"The specific topic I chose was the art and science of scoring goals, with an in-depth analysis of goals in the Champions League last season. It was trying to go into further detail than purely stats - creating a bridge between analysis and coaching. If I was working with a player on finishing, I tried to think about the key bits that could be replicated. when I got back to my club.
"My ambition is to carry on upwards in terms of the levels I'm working, so potentially looking at the professional development phase and then a first team coach, with the ultimate goal of being a head coach at some point down the line.
"Where that is, you have to go where opportunity knocks. That's what I've done so far in my career. I went to community football, then worked my way to England and China so I've had a broad selection of experiences.
"This course was a great step in terms of my development. I enjoyed my time on it and hopefully that helps me take my next step forward."
Angus Beith, B Team Head Coach, Heart of Midlothian: "I felt very grateful to be selected for the course and it was a real confidence boost, given the challenging selection process.
"Initially going in you don't know what to expect but I felt like so much effort has gone into the content of the course. The speakers were at an excellent level too so I felt very grateful to be chosen.
"All the coaches were pushing each other to improve every time and the level of work got better and better every month, through the information that we were getting and by all us striving to drive each other forward.
"The main thing that stuck out for me was in particular the top-level coaches who spoke to us and the levels of detail they spoke about. It's hard to single out one thing as there's so many different facets of the game, I was just taking bits from every area and then going to try to implement them into my job at Hearts.
"I obviously had to retire young and most of my experiences have been at Hearts - as a young player then coming back as a coach with the youth teams and an analyst, and working in the schools as well.
"I've been looked after tremendously well at the club and developed well. I'm not looking too far ahead. I feel very happy with where I am just now. I'm getting challenged every day and it's just about taking these learnings from the programme and constantly trying to become a more effective coach."
