Alex Inglethorpe - Under 21's Coach (and any other staff we should get to know)

When I look at the Liverpool staff at various levels it's as if I don't know anything about the majority of them. With all the changes that have gone on over the last few years it was as if I couldn't be bothered to look into them or study them anymore - information overload maybe?

I came across the article below and sort of done that raised eyebrow with half a smile thing after I read it. In a good way mind. Realisation that new staff at the club may actually be good at the jobs they do and aren't just a name that I come across every other week/month and forget about within a day unless they sound foreign or in some way exotic.

Does anybody know anything about this guy? Or does anybody have views on the abilities of the staff that have come in?

I don't know much about him, in fact nothing until I read this. But I found his views on the game interesting and whether you believe in it or not, it shows how much Rodgers believes in his vision and wants it instilled into his players early:

Hugo (finally) Meets Inglethorpe

I have always known of his name. I have always known his career path. This might sound odd, but Alex Inglethorpe is almost engrained in my family’s folklore.
 
A young Inglethorpe worked at the sinks of my Dad’s Harvester chain for the summer months in the late 80’s; washing dishes, scraping saucepans and mopping floors. My Dad still insists that his Mum provided the best haircuts money could buy and that his Dad was a fantastic golf partner. But that’s not where the family links end. The now Liverpool U21 manager also endured time playing football with my Uncle at youth level, under the instruction of the manager, my Grandad. Fetcham Park United were a successful team under the influence of the three, and my Mum, aged 10: Director of half-time oranges.
 
This link has been good for my family since Alex’s emergence in professional football. When he managed Exeter City to an FA Cup replay with Manchester United, in 2005, he invited my Grandad’s then side, Witchampton, to train with the Exeter first team. Something we still thank him for to this day.
 
It may seem like my whole family tree know him; however, even with these strong connections I had never met the elusive Alex Inglethorpe. I had never even spoken to him until January 15th 2013.
 
My interest grew when he became the Tottenham youth team manager in 2006. He was constructing a reputation as a top coach at a relatively young age. This interest then sparked into frenzy when he was linked with a move to Liverpool Football Club in late 2012.
 
I became his expert to all those on Twitter. I was the go-to man for information on Inglethorpe. I had still never met him.
 
When he was confirmed as a member of Brendan’s new backroom staff, in November 2012, I was excited. In the back of my mind I wanted a Liverpool website to be built, but I hadn’t laid the foundations of one, properly. The Bib Theorists was a distant project in the dark depths of my mind – eeking to come out, but with no real path.
 
When TBT really started to get going in mid-January, I made it my mission to seek out Alex and secure an interview. I sent an email (in hope rather than expectation) and he got back to me. After a few weeks of correspondence we decided it would be best to conduct a phone interview, something that would suit both of our schedules. He chose a Tuesday at 11am.
 
Now, I have college on Tuesday at 11am. So instead of sitting in a half-empty IT room, I sat in my car on the road outside the school – waiting for the clock to strike eleven. (all you teacher folk, don’t worry, I had permission)
 
With notes spread like a banquet across the dashboard and laptop raised aloft on the driver’s seat, I was ready.
 
The conversation began with wishes to the family and such niceties as the rain thundered onto my windscreen but I was so pleased that the metaphoric ice had been broken.
 
I particularly wanted to focus on the development of youth and the policy that goes with it and not specific players within the academy, however I started with a sweeping question.
 
“Which players would you like to see make the step up to the first team in the next 12 months?”
 
He answered as I expected he would:
 
“All of them. They have all worked very hard and have sacrificed a lot be in the position that they are in. They have trained every day, neglected social lives and hassled parents. They all deserve it.”
 
Alex had been excelling at the helm of Tottenham’s academy, thus I was inquisitive as to why he wanted to leave. He had said to me in an email that Liverpool (Brendan Rodgers in particular) would have been the only places he would have left Spurs Lodge for. I found this interesting so I decided to question how he was finding his new working environment.
 
“How has life been at Liverpool since your move from London?”
 
“The city is fantastic and I have been fortunate enough to get to stay right in the city centre itself. The people are unbelievable, just so friendly and approachable. The south of England always felt like home, but Liverpool has welcomed me with open arms!
 
However, I have made sacrifices. I left my family at the other end of the country! But they do join me in April, so I’m looking forward to seeing the wife and kids more frequently, then. It’ll really feel like home once that’s sorted.”
 
“I know you are the U21’s manager, but how often do you interact with the other squads and especially the first team?”
 
“My job is in the reserves but I am interested in all levels.
 
I watch or interact with the first team squad or Brendan at least once a week, and I’m actually heading off to a U16 game after this!
 
My previous clubs didn’t invest that much money in the academy teams; this is different at Liverpool and therefore I like to stay involved. At the end of the day, it’s my hobby, my love – I’m just lucky it’s also my job.”
 
“I have noticed a switch to a 4-3-3 formation in recent weeks, is that something that’s being installed at all levels now?”
 
“I have to be honest, my preference is a 4-3-3. If you play in the champion’s league 4-3-3 is a must at lower levels, as defenders have to learn their trade in the best way possible to come against the world’s best centre forwards. 
 
It’s an attacking formation so I like it. But it also helps the development of the defenders, as they have to mark large spaces around the circumference of their position. This is aided with a pivoting midfield helping the two centre backs as the full backs fly on so at times it should be a ‘3-0-7’ formation and that’s what really helps the defenders progress positionally.
 
However, development takes time and this is especially true with defenders. Therefore, sometimes you have to sacrifice results at this level for style and the overall development of the youngsters. At the end of the day, youth results are absolutely pointless – it’s the development that’s important!”

“How important is the pivot role in the 4-3-3 and is it something the classic number 10’s in your squad have had to learn?”

“It’s not necessarily a deeper role – really it’s two number 10’s. Joao [Teixeira] is obviously used to the 4-3-3 as he was taught it at Sporting Lisbon, where they specialise in fluid formations. He knows that midfield more than some of the other lads but again, it’s all a learning curve.”
 
“What are the benefits and circumstances in which you may feel sending a player out on loan to another club benefits them more than staying at the academy and vice versa?”
 
“There is absolutely no blueprint to developing a player. My job is not to find the overall blueprint, but to find the right way to do things for each individual. It really depends what’s in the best interests for the player.
 
For instance, Raheem [Sterling] didn’t need a loan as he had the best possible experience in the first team at such a young age. A loan wouldn’t have helped him as he developed quickly. This was obviously helped, however, by the shortage in attack that Brendan had at the start of the season.
 
But the best example to counter that is that of Steven Caulker. I managed him at Tottenham and sent him out on loan to Yeovil Town and then again to Bristol City. After those 80 or so games, he had learned his trade in a professional environment and therefore earned himself a loan deal to Brendan’s Premier League Swansea.
 
I interjected, “Was this your first communication with Brendan Rodgers?”
 
“No no, I have known Brendan for some time now. It was great of him to trust me on Steven’s career judgment, as obviously it was my job to develop the youth at Tottenham.
 
I think Steven will look back and realise his growth when he went out on these loans but again, some players, like Raheem, don’t need this time.”
 
I wanted to know more about the NextGen Series and how it had helped him as a youth coach as it has obviously become the biggest competition in youth football.”

“Is the NextGen Series a nuisance or an aid?”
 
“It’s an enormous help, like you wouldn’t believe!
 
The Premier League is made up of 70% foreign players. Therefore, to be representative you need to play abroad.

If you play academy football in England you are only ever really going to be playing against players who will play in the football league, not the Champions League. Liverpool aspires to the Champions League so we have to play, and educate, the players in the European style of football.
 
I’d go as far as saying we need to replicate the first team, like for like. From things as simple as jet lag to things a bit more taboo as ‘gamesmanship’, young players need to understand and live with it.
 
Travel broadens the mind – I’m a firm believer of that. Whilst it also broadens the mind, it broadens the appreciation for football. The challenge of coaching isn’t to teach the system, but the style.
 
If you want to be the best then you have to beat the best in Europe, not just England.”
 
“How hard is it keeping young players focused and nurtured with pressure piled on them?”
 
“Very, very difficult. In fact it’s hard to develop talent because of it. Players are earning a lot of money at such a young age, I’d probably say too much.
 
But as much as that cliché is said, the best players don’t play for the house, the car or even the woman; but for the legacy. Look at Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez. They want to win silverware – not a plush mansion in a nice area. To them, that comes with victory.”
 
“Is the next Steven Gerrard in the academy at the moment?”
 
“I can’t say that. Steven is a special player. What I can say, however, is that the lifeblood of any club is that of local lads.
 
Iconic figures are usually players that have come through the youth academy. Look at Gerrard / Carragher at Liverpool, Terry at Chelsea and Ryan Giggs at United.
 
I’m here to find the next icon”
 
I didn’t want to keep Alex much longer so decided to wrap it up with a more generic question.
 
“What is the best thing about being at Liverpool Football Club?”
 
“That’s a good question… I’d say the people. Everyone from the players, the staff – even the chef! Everyone is just fantastic. They live for the club and that’s a joy to be part of.”
 
We said our goodbyes and left it. I had finally talked with Alex; the man my family knew all too well.
 
It was fortunate he had joined Liverpool. He knew it inside out. Every question was rebounded with an answer that reflected a stern vision. He and Brendan are on the same wavelength – they are alike in a lot of ways. Both carved coaching careers through youth football and came to a top club at a youngish age.
 
However, in no way did he have to conduct himself in such a professional and approachable manner to someone who was a mere relative of some people he knew 15-20 years ago. For that, I thank Alex and I hope we meet up at some stage.
 
The rain continued to thunder down, notes strewn across the car and laptop back in its case. I hopped back off to the IT lesson I was meant to be in.

http://www.thebibtheorists.com/hugo-finally-meets-inglethorpe/

Good article and thanks for posting it Wahs.

With both (Brendan and Alex) backgrounds firmly in Youth development we do seem to have a good foundation to build on.  That's taking nothing away from Rafa for setting everything up but thankfully it's being fully utilised when it could very easily have been forgotten about.

Of course it all fits in with FSG's plans too which shouldn't be ignored so at least they should be happy 

I read the other day, can't remember where now but before the Europa game Brendan had asked Mike Marsh to arrange for some of the Academy lads to be ball boys for the game so they could experience Anfield on a European night. 

As part of their development they needed to see and hear the atmosphere at a big game, with a big crowd and feel the pressure that comes with playing at that level.  The lads came from the under 13's and I'm sure they enjoyed the experience and will gain a lot from it.

It's all good at the Academy in my eyes and long may it continue.

I read the other day, can't remember where now but before the Europa game Brendan had asked Mike Marsh to arrange for some of the Academy lads to be ball boys for the game so they could experience Anfield on a European night.

Thats brilliant if true. Looking at the whole picture.

Like that.

Thats brilliant if true. Looking at the whole picture.

Like that.

That's what I thought too mate, forward thinking.

"If you play academy football in England you are only ever really going to be playing against players who will play in the football league, not the Champions League"

Shows how bad the English youth system is. Just glad we have a great structure in place that seems to only be getting better.

       
Six months in: What's made me proud
12th May 2013 - Latest News

   
In this week's Academy column, U21s manager Alex Inglethorpe reflects on six months on Merseyside and picks out some of the moments that have punctuated his early Liverpool career.

The former Tottenham man arrived in November 2012 to assume the role left vacant by Rodolfo Borrell's promotion to Academy technical director.

And in his latest piece, Inglethorpe explains how watching young players make subtle changes to their game through hard-work and dedication has given him the most pride in recent months...

It's been a very enjoyable five or six months for me since I arrived here on Merseyside.

I've learned so much about the place, the staff and the players. I have a much better idea now of where I can help and what I think we can achieve.

I suppose on the pitch there have only been a few real low-points so far, and they have come in the form of long-term injuries to four of our young players: Marc Pelosi, Jakub Sokolik, Brad Smith and Samed Yesil.

These injuries have been really significant to the lads, who were progressing so well.

Seeing four talented boys ruled out for such a long time is really tough. And even though they are all doing very well with their recovery at the moment, it's still disappointing when young players miss nine months of playing time.

That's the negatives - there have been so many positives.

On the pitch, the likes of Jordon Ibe, Kristoffer Peterson, Jack Dunn and Jordan Lussey, who have come into the U21s, have progressed well. Lloyd Jones is in the same position as those lads as well.

It's been really good working with the likes of Joao Carlos Teixeira and Krisztian Adorjan on a daily basis, too. And then there's Stephen Sama, Craig Roddan, Ryan McLaughlin, Nacho and the rest of the lads, who have all been great since I arrived.

I hope they've enjoyed working with me.

But the easy part has been settling down in the city. The welcome I have received has been superb. Away from football, it's been really easy for me to adjust to life in the city and I have enjoyed every single minute of it.

That's made the job an awful lot easier. So many people have come forward to help me at the club, from the people in our offices at Chapel Street, to the Academy and Melwood. They certainly make the transition very, very easy. I'll always be very grateful for that.

I've been lucky in that I have had plenty of memorable moments so far, without one particularly standing out above the rest.

But I think that some of my proudest moments here at Liverpool have come on the training ground at our Kirkby complex, where I have seen a player do something which I know they have been working on.

It's so fulfilling for me to see them suddenly work in a different way, or have a shift in mentality. I take real pride when I watch a player do something good that we've worked hard on and something that he has been keen to master.

These are the sort of under-the-radar things that give you the most satisfaction in the job.

The easy thing would be to point towards something like the Inter Milan performance at home, where I thought that, as a team, we were excellent. There was a lot of talent on the pitch - that was before we sustained the injuries I mentioned earlier - and I really enjoyed watching the boys play that night.

But for me, the best moments, come out on the training fields at the Academy.

Last Monday we drew 1-1 at Old Trafford against Manchester United. The result means United finish above us in the Barclays U21 Premier League.

But we'll be meeting them again on Tuesday in the semi-final of the tournament - and that's a game we're all really looking forward to.

As for the game on Monday just gone, it was a real shame because we began in a wonderful fashion. We played really well for the first five or six minutes; passed the ball really well and Jonjo Shelvey scored a fantastic goal.

I said it at the time, the goal Jonjo scored at the Stretford End, a stunning 30-yard drive, would be good enough to grace any Premier League match.

But then disappointment came a minute later as we went down to 10 men and Stephen Sama was sent off.

It spoiled the game a little because it ruined the flow of the match. Late on in the game, United found an equaliser and we were forced to settle for the draw.

But I'd say there were positives.

For instance; Kristoffer Peterson, who is a terrific lad to work with, recognises generally that defending is something he would like to work on.

The fact that we went down to 10 men gave him the chance to work on something that isn't a particular strength of his - and you can't really re-create the intensity of that experience in training.

So, the sending off was bad for the game, but some of our players, like Kristoffer, certainly gained something from it.

Young Jack Dunn worked tirelessly up front with little reward, and the manner in which he went about doing it was really, really intelligent.

He was very clever when it came to deciding when to press and how to press and I was very impressed with how hard he worked.

This sort of scenario is not something that you would want to happen all the time, but, as I said afterwards, if you are going to have that experience, of going down to 10 men and being forced to defend for long periods, then you'd rather have it in an U21 game, than have it as your first time in the Premier League on your debut.

Thought this was a good insight into our backroom team.

Complete Guide to Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool Backroom Staff
By
Richard Morgan
(Featured Columnist) on June 21, 2013


When Liverpool brought Swansea City head coach Brendan Rodgers to Merseyside to replace Kenny Dalglish in the Anfield hot seat last June, the Reds also managed to secure deals totaling £7 million for three of the Northern Irishman’s key lieutenants as part of the compensation package agreed with the Swans.

What is more, Rodgers then returned to South Wales last October to poach a fourth critical member from his coaching setup at the Liberty stadium to go alongside his previous swoops for Colin Pascoe, Chris Davies and Glen Driscoll, with Ryland Morgans also agreeing to move to the Reds.

These four coaches then joined those members of staff who were already in place at Anfield under Dalglish to form Rodgers’ completed backroom staff, and we at Bleacher Report are here to give you a guide to each member of his team:

 
Assistant Manager: Colin Pascoe

A former Wales international who represented the Red Dragon on 10 occasions between 1988 and 1989, the midfield player also turned out for the likes of Swansea and Sunderland during a 15-year playing career, and actually made his Swans debut against Liverpool at Anfield on his 18th birthday in 1983.

Pascoe started his coaching career in the Principality under then Swansea manager Kenny Jackett.  He also served under Roberto Martinez and Paolo Sousa before Rodgers promoted him to assistant manager.

First Team Coach: Mike Marsh

Marsh is a former Liverpool midfield player who represented the club in more than 100 appearances between 1987 and 1993, scoring six goals in the process, before going on to also play for the West Ham United, Coventry City and Galatasaray, among others.

After hanging up his boots in 2003, Marsh then went into coaching and he returned to Anfield as part of the Academy setup, being given responsibility for the U16s and then the U18s, before being promoted to first-team coach by Rodgers after his appointment as manager.

Performance Analyst: Glen Driscoll

Driscoll made his mark at Chelsea working in a variety of different roles under a whole host of managers between 2003 and 2011.

Initially, he was head of medicine, first with the club’s youth setup before progressing to work with the first-team squad.

However, when Avram Grant took over from Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge in 2007, the Israeli moved Driscoll to work as the Blues’ first-team conditioning coach, a role he kept under both Guus Hiddink and then Carlo Ancelotti.

On recruiting Driscoll last summer, Rodgers was effusive in his praise of his colleague, saying: "He was head of medical at Chelsea, but what is unique about Glen is that he also has a strong background in football conditioning.

"So we are getting someone who has experience in both fields and his role will be to look at performance outside the field."

Opposition Analyst: Chris Davies

A one-time Wales Under-17, U18 and U19 international, Davies was also captain of the Reading youth team while Rodgers was manager of the Royals, before going on to take a sports and exercise science degree at Loughborough University.

His exact role at Anfield is to study opposing teams’ tactics and organisation, which he then feeds back to Rodgers and the Liverpool first-team players via a series of reports and presentations.

When Rodgers was appointed Swansea boss in 2010, Davies recalled that, "I was straight on the phone to him.

"He taught me my trade, not just as a player but also as a person. He taught all the young players life lessons as well.

"By that I mean how to conduct yourself in a professional and responsible manner off the pitch."

Head of Sports Medicine and Sports Science: Ryland Morgans

Rodgers returned to his old stomping ground last October in order to lure Morgans, Swansea’s head of fitness and sports science, to Merseyside.

The Welshman decided to leave the Liberty in order to “develop his career elsewhere” after new Swans manager Michael Laudrup brought in his own man, Oscar Garcia, to take over his role in South Wales.

Prior to Swansea, Morgans carried out the same job at Fulham before moving to the Principality in 2010 in order to work at his hometown club.  He has also been used in this capacity by Wales managers Gary Speed and Chris Coleman.

After being appointed, Driscoll said of colleague: "Ryland is excellent on the pitch and I think the players have immediately seen a massive difference in what he can give Liverpool and the levels he can take the club too.

"From a professional perspective, he's in line with the methodologies, he worked with Brendan for two years and that's important. I've built up a really good relationship with Ryland, so I'm excited to be working with him. He's really got an exceptional CV and experience in football. He is someone who can definitely improve us in this area and take us on.

"He'll be in charge of taking warm up and physical sessions and basically help run the science department, linking in with myself, the medical team and the manager. He'll ultimately provide a service which I think will be really beneficial for Liverpool."

Dave McDonough: Head of Technical Analysis

Appointed by previous manager Rafa Benitez.

Reserve Team Fitness Coach: Gonzalo Rodriguez

Rodriguez was first brought to the club by former manager Benitez to work alongside reserve-team boss Ablett as a fitness coach, Rodriguez is a former professional handball player who represented Spain at youth level.

Goalkeeping Coach: John Achterberg

One-time Utrecht, PSV Eindhoven and Tranmere goalkeeper, after hanging up his gloves the Dutchman then joined Liverpool in June 2009 as the club’s goalkeeping coach to both the reserves and academy shot stoppers, before then being promoted in the summer of 2011 to first-team goalkeeping coach.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1678176-complete-guide-to-brendan-rodgers-liverpool-backroom-staff