E M A G G N I V L O THE EV December 2015
Issue 29 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Coaching Newsletter
Scottish Coaches Called to Arms!!! “Ripped straight from the tabloids, this is an interesting look from the viewpoint of a highly licensed and reputable Scottish coach whose resume speaks for itself. This excerpt was taken from an article that first appeared in The Scottish Sun written by Mark Ruidi.” KENNY BRANNIGAN has told our coaches to quit the UK and look to join the growing list of successful Scotsmen out in the USA. Brannigan has just had the most enjoyable period of his coaching career after being in North Carolina with a remit to improve elite kids and school the coaches in that area. The former Queen of the South gaffer is back in Scotland but hopes to return to the States in the near future as he feels he has little chance of getting a job in his own backyard. Brannigan — who also spent three seasons coaching in Winnipeg, Canada — said: “I often questioned the standard at the higher level but they are making progress. "I think America will eventually take over and the MLS will attract the best players, at their peak years, within the next five or six years. “They are also attracting some of the very best coaches in the world. I’m glad to say there are many Scotsmen over there, holding down important and influential coaching jobs. “There are 170 Scottish coaches working at all different levels in America. "It’s fantastic and we all try to look out for one another. “I’d urge any Scotsman to get over there and work. I bumped into Owen Coyle and Sandy Stewart in Houston and they love it. “Gordon Forrest is at Vancouver Whitecaps and making a great name for himself over there. He played in Scotland at the lower levels. Tommy Wilson and Iain Munro are thriving at Philadelphia. “If an opportunity arises, go for it. The hardest thing, though, it’s getting a visa and keeping hold of it. “You also work with and learn from Brazilian, Mexican and Spanish coaches. It’s a proper education. “But, listen, it’s a proper shift, seven days a week. When you are coaching kids over there you will spend six or seven hours a day coaching at different levels. “If you are work-shy, then forget it. If you are prepared to work like a dog then the Americans will open their arms to you. “Working in the sunshine for ten months a year makes it extra enjoyable. Trust me, there is life beyond Scotland. “The SFA can also help find you a job over there. They are increasing their contact base there.
Gary Stephenson Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Assistant Technical Director
“The standard of facility is outstanding and there are thousands of great training centres for all age groups and different levels. “Also, if I’m being honest about it, there are less politics. You are just allowed to coach and get on with it. “The chances of me getting back to work in Scotland are slim. I’d love to work here but America still excites me.” Brannigan, 51, worked for a sports coaching company in the States and put on sessions with former West Ham and Liverpool defender Julian Dicks and Stevenage assistant boss Kevin Watson. Dicks is now first-team coach at Upton Park and Brannigan said: “I was doing elite camps in North Carolina with Julian and Kevin. “They are working-class guys and worked the kids hard with good drills and good sessions. We made sure the kids enjoyed it and learned.” Brannigan is not sure where his next opportunity will come from but he does know that there is plenty of untapped talent in the USA and Scottish clubs should be trying to find a pathway in. He said: “In the UK, a kid from a low income family with little education can make the grade in football and prosper. “In the States, unless you are intelligent and able to afford to go to uni, then you will really struggle to get involved in soccer. “If your parents are skint you are up against it. It’s quite simple over there ‘No pay, no play’. “Parents invest in their kids’ futures by sending them to college and one of them can go on to play in the MLS. Of course, some will leave university with a law degree and join a firm on a million-dollar salary. “At that point, soccer takes a back seat. But some do ignore the money to play soccer. “However, there must be tens of thousands of youngsters walking the streets with great talent but they don’t have a platform. “I think there may be an avenue for Scottish clubs to go over there and find talent. "Celtic are doing it and Rangers have just employed an overseas development officer. "The likes of Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen, Dundee United, Dundee and other clubs should be looking into it.”