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Home , Alex Smithies, Bill Hamid, Darren Ferguson, Frans Hoek, Jordan Pickford, Kenneth Zohore

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE GOALKEEPING PROFESSION

WINTER 2020

Featuring: Bill Hamid Rob Elliott Frans Hoek Andy Dibble New Order Analytics Kid Gloves CRAIG GORDON - #NurturingChampions Welcome to The magazine exclusively for the professional goalkeeping community. Andy Evans editorial

Welcome to the winter 2020 This edition also supports the Black Lives Matter movement and edition of the GK1 Magazine - the we are delighted to feature DC United and USA national team goalkeeper specialist magazine for ‘keeper Bill Hamid. It is imperative that football continues to the professional goalkeeper market. make the necessary strides to equality across all aspects of the game. GK1 is produced by GK1 Management, the goalkeeper In an ongoing player/ coach feature, we focus on Cardi" City’s speci!ic division of . Alex Smithies and Andy Dibble; and discuss the role played by Frans Hoek in the development of goalkeeping and coaching. This is the !irst edition of the magazine to be published since This edition’s statistical angle explores in detail aspects of Andy Evans - Chairman of World in Motion / GK1 the Covid pandemic has brought Aaron Ramsdale’s game and highlights the pioneering work we unprecedented disruption to everyday life in general and to pro are doing in the way data and statistics can be used to assess sport in particular. It is remarkable how well our goalkeeper clients goalkeeping performance. have responded to the ‘new normal’ and to playing the sport they love without the passionate support they are accustomed to. Here’s hoping that football will have returned to some normality prior to the release of our next edition of GK1 Magazine in the We sincerely hope the New Year brings the resolution to this Spring. crisis that impending vaccines promise. Andy Evans (Chairman of World in Motion / GK1) C O N T E N T S

Welcome to GK1 3 GK1 Management Chancery House Bill Hamid 4 1 Lochaline Street London, W6 9SJ Alex Smithies 8 Kid Gloves 12 +44 (0) 20 8741 6060 www.gk1.co.uk New Order Analytics – Aaron Ramsdale ‘Deep Dive’ 14

Publisher Coaching – Frans Hoek 20 World in Motion Ltd Coaching – Andy Dibble 24

Editor-in-Chief Essential Equipment 26 Andy Evans Outside the Box 36 Deputy Editor Ben Read Meet the Team 38

Graphic Design Tim Alexander Your future in safe hands

WINTER 2020 3 SUPPORTING BLACK LIVES MATTER

Over the last six months or so, Hamid has thrown his backing and status as a professional footballer behind a number of social movements, predominantly Black Lives Matter.

The work he is doing o" the !ield and away from training and matches right now is as important to him as football. It is an approach which is to be applauded. Hamid is striving for change.

“What I do o" the !ield is just as important as my job,” Hamid said.

“Your career comes and goes and that’s the same for everyone. What is more important is what do you stand for as a person? What do you stand for as a human being?”

“Are you the sort of person who turns a blind eye to the craziness which is going on in this world at the moment? Or do you want to try to help make a change and make the world better?

“Whether you are male or female or whatever race, I think it’s important we try and make a change for now and for the future. If you have children, you should want to make a change for them too.

“Do we not want our kids to live in a better world than we did when we’re old and grey or after we have moved on? We have to try to build that, and it starts now.”

The grotesque killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May of this year saw people across the globe protest. The Black Lives Matter mantra was everywhere. Floyd passed away after he was allegedly arrested for using counterfeit money. He was arrested by police o#icer Derek Chauvin who restrained Floyd by kneeling on his neck. Floyd complained to Chauvin he could not breathe, but the o#icer did not release his grip and the consequences were fatal. Chauvin was charged with murder.

The consequent outpouring of grief, rage and demonstration touched not only the “The video highlights the inequality we As a black man whose parents came from USA, but the whole world – the game of have in this world and urges people to , Hamid is hugely passionate football included. vote so they can have a say in society. about his beliefs and the picture of We’ve also partnered with the National him taking a knee in goal before DC’s Players across the globe have taken the Football League.” knee before matches. In the , squads had the Black Lives Matter “We’ve created after school and We slogan on the back of their shirts. Hamid mentorship programmes. Our aim is has gone even further. to make a di!ference at grassroots want to level. In partnership with the US Soccer THE BLACK PLAYERS FOR Foundation we have opened !ields for CHANGE PROGRAMME kids to go after school. They are !ive-a- make the side pitches like basketball courts and He explained: “I’m involved with a number we are going to create 15 around the world a of senior players country. We want to make a di!ference in creating the Black Players For Change by encouraging young men and programme. We’ve signed a contract women.” better with the National Basketball Association players’ association and made a video “We want to make the world a better place. with some huge players from that sport.” place.”

WINTER 2020 5 game with New Revolution in for him. Something wasn’t right. He had “We’re back in stadiums now. We watched September was a powerful one. freedom and happiness once he let go. the Premier League and Bundesliga do To see the sort of thing which happened it a certain way. Cases are skyrocketing Hamid also saw signs of progression in US to him going on in this world is terrible. here, but the MLS has created a safe football at the start of October when San That sort of thing doesn’t even matter on environment,” he said. Diego Loyal players and their manager a football pitch. On the !ield we’re all equal walked o" the pitch regardless of belief, race, or whatever. It “It’s allowed us to continue our season. It’s in protest after an alleged homophobic doesn’t matter who you are.” been good. Some stadiums are open to slur was directed at gay mid!ielder Collin fans which is positive as it shows we are Martin. “All power to Landon. I played with him for transitioning back to normality. Finding many years and my respect for him has places to train without the police shutting “Colin came from DC United’s academy. now gone even further. I’m very proud of you down was the hardest thing about His !irst professional contact was with DC Colin too.” lockdown. The DC training faculty was and I played with him for many years,” chained up by the city government. They Hamid said. POST!LOCKDOWN shut down everything including parks and !ield. “He has lots of love and great personality, WITH DC UNITED so it was a shame to see that happening to On the !ield, Hamid has returned to action “I couldn’t even !ind a pitch to train on, him. I didn’t know he was gay, but he came with DC after lockdown but Covid-19 still just areas of grass. At DC we started out as time went on and I was so happy continues to have a big impact in the USA. the season and then everything shut

6 WINTER 2020 down. It’s taken a while to get everything shot stopper, a presence, and an organiser Roberts was the goalkeeper coach. He is together. with good communication. One thing I’m a great guy and I learned a lot from him working on is my feet. My passing has got a and Lukasz Fabianski. I still look back at “We lost a couple of key players including lot better and I have focused on that. I play videos of those training sessions. Swansea . A lot of eyes were on him at a club which likes playing football.” is a great club with great facilities and they and I think he showed his !lair, hunger have the same owners as DC. and quality. He shone through. When you “It’s important to be good with your feet come to a new league you want to show now and I’d love another opportunity in “I’m always trying to see what could something and not just fall by the wayside. England. If I went back I’d be two, three, or happen and want to continue growing as DC is not one of the clubs who had four times more successful. a goalkeeper. With the USA we have a lot signed big names in the past. I still think of games coming up and we are playing Wayne chose DC for the same colours as “I had a trial with West Brom when I was Wales next month. Manchester United!” 21. was the manager at the time and Dean Kiely the goalkeeper coach. “It’s a big opportunity and my goal is the Hamid added: “I’ve been at DC virtually my I was very excited by the opportunity. World Cup. We have to qualify which won’t whole career. My Danish championship They said there was a chance to be the No be easy. We have the Gold Cup and our win with FC Midtjylland was an 2 to , but I couldn’t get a work version of the Nations League plus the unbelievable experience.” permit so things fell by the wayside.” quali!iers.

THE NEXT CHAPTER I’ve maintained a good relationship with “Our younger players are doing very well Dean. When I visit family in London I train at top clubs. That can only add to our “I’m happy, but I’m not satis!ied. I’d like to with Dean at Crystal Palace. I wish a move squad. With the right game plan I think the come back to Europe as soon as possible had happened, but life has its way and USA will be a top county in the world for and continue growing. I’m still learning more there is no point thinking what if. I also had the next few cycles.” details about myself as a goalkeeper. I’m a a two-week stay in Swansea where Tony By Alex Bywater

WINTER 2020 7

ALEX SMITHIES

“It’s a strange life as a goalkeeper,” Bluebirds’ player of the season in a recent “We were both very competitive and I think admits Alex Smithies, who in the last two poll by one Welsh newspaper. that was good for us and the reason we years has had to deal with his fair share both done so well when we played. It drives of highs and lows at Cardi! City. “As a goalkeeper you need a bit of a run in you on that you know you can’t a"ord a the team to win the fans over, especially drop in form.” Smithies – now 30 – joined the Welsh when Neil – who had been in the team side from QPR for a fee of £3.5million in before me – had been so good,” Smithies Hudders#eld born and bred, Smithies June 2018, but was forced to sit on the adds. “He was a bit of a fans’ favourite, so it made 275 appearances for the club he bench for almost all of his !irst season took a bit of time for them to see what I was grew up supporting and more than 100 with the Bluebirds. He made just two cup capable of. They think highly of me now and for QPR. He also represented England appearances and had to act as back-up to it was a nice honour to !inish o" the season.” at Under-16, Under-17, Under-18 and who had a superb campaign Under-19 level. between the posts despite Cardi"’s “It is di!cult as a No 2. When it comes to relegation from the Premier League. games you try to prepare as if you’re going REMEMBERING to be playing, but you don’t have the same JORDAN SINNOTT Last season, Smithies displaced pressure. You miss that and it’s hard.” Etheridge as No. 1 and produced a string AND PETER of impressive performances either “I do enjoy training whether I’m in the team WHITTINGHAM side of lockdown as Cardi" made the or out of it. You’re always working hard Championship’s play-o" spots. to keep hold of your position or push the Smithies’ close connection to other goalkeeper out. The match days were hit home last season too. Matlock Town’s A ‘CARDIFF di!cult because I was trying to prepare like I Jordan Sinnott – who played with RENAISSANCE’ was going to play, but that never happened. Smithies and Danny Ward with the Terriers It takes quite a lot for you to get a game if – was found with a fractured skull in Fulham proved too good for Smithies you’re out of the team, but Neil and I had a January and subsequently died in hospital and his team and reached the top-!light, good relationship.” aged just 25. but even that defeat over two legs hasn’t de!lated one of Cardi"’s most consistent Etheridge departed Cardi" in September In March, Smithies and Cardi" were then individuals this year too much. 2020 to join fellow Championship out#t, shocked by the death of club legend Peter Birmingham City. Whittingham. “I was delighted with last season as the season before I didn’t really play and my !irst year at Cardi" was quite frustrating,” says Smithies, a GK1 client. “Throughout my career I’ve always played most games so to go a whole season without playing was quite di#icult to take.

“Last season I had the opportunity to play 35 games and loved every minute. The time out of the team made me realise what I was missing so I had to knuckle down and force my way back in.

“I really enjoyed last season and I’m enjoying playing for Cardi".” Smithies’ Cardi" renaissance has been so exceptional that he was voted the

WINTER 2020 9 “It’s been a very tough period for me personally with losing my own friend and Danny’s best friend,” says Smithies.

“With what happened to Peter it felt like quite similar circumstances in that they were both far too young to pass away. With the help of each other as team- mates and for me personally with my family, it’s amazing what you can get through.”

Smithies is now looking forward, not back. He wants to lead Cardiff back to the Premier League and play in England’s top-flight for the first time. There is also the desire to repay Cardiff manager Neil Harris who put his faith in Smithies last season and was rewarded with what was, at the time, a bold decision to replace Etheridge.

“In my second season at QPR I felt everything was going right for me,” Smithies says. “I had a really good run in the team there and enjoyed it, but I’ve really enjoyed this spell too and I’m full of con#dence at the moment and enjoying each game. The manager has been fantastic for me.

“He showed faith by playing me in the #rst place. When he came in we were 14th in the league and to #nish #fth was quite the turnaround. He has to take a lot of credit for that.”

PREMIER LEAGUE DREAM

“The players have really bought into his belief and got behind him. With the play- o"s there was a lot of disappointment, but we were also very proud to have gone on the run we did. Now the dust has settled I think we have to be partly thankful we even got to #nish the season because that’s not been possible in some leagues. We were fortunate to play even if there were no crowds.”

10 WINTER 2020 “Now we’re focused on next season with such a short turnaround. We’ve only had two weeks o" and the ga"er said straight away that whatever we achieved in reaching the play-o"s is the #rst step in the journey of where we want to go which is to be back in the Premier League.”

“I’ve always dreamed of playing in the Premier League. I’ve never been able to do that. It’s one of the biggest goals in my career. I’ve played over 400 games, but not one in the Premier League. That’s pushing me on as it’s where I want to play.”

Smithies is in the form of his life. With Cardi" he produced a string of stand-out saves in last season’s run-in. His stop to deny West Brom’s Kenneth Zohore in February was right out of the top draw. It was also far from a one-o".

Smithies adds: “World in Motion / GK1 have been great with me and always guided me in the right direction. It’s never been a case of them encouraging me to make moves which won’t bene#t me in the long run.”

“We’ve always had a long-term plan and I felt the move to Cardi" was the right one. They were in the Premier League at the time and there would be an opportunity for me “I’ve always wanted to keep progressing and up #fth. We were a bit unlucky in the play- to play.” it’s never about making quick gains. GK1 o"s, but now we’re looking forward to next knows I want to play and I’m 30 now and season,” said Smithies. I’m feel my best years are ahead of me. “The play-o" experience will stand us in working as I’ve heard a lot of people say between 30 good stead next year. We’re back at training and 32 are the peak years for a goalkeeper. now and only had two weeks o". The good hard as I’ve Hopefully, if that is the case, I’ll continue to thing with such a short amount of time o" is get better. I’m working as hard as I’ve ever pre-season training is going to be di"erent ever done done to improve and that’s something I’ll to normal. Usually the #rst week or 10 days always look to do.” Cardi" and Smithies is pure #tness, but now we can get straight to improve are now back in training for the new into the football which is positive. Everyone Championship season where they will be is excited to see where we can go this and that’s among the favourites for promotion. season.”

something PREMIER LEAGUE “From where we started last season to DREAM where we #nished it was a big turnaround. I’ll always If we can start the new season the way we Harris will want to build on his #rst season in #nished the last we’ll be right up there. look to charge and the experience and age pro#le We’re all excited to try and do that.” of his team bodes well. “We made a bit of a do. late run and had a really good #nish to end By Alex Bywater

WINTER 2020 11 takes a look at the stars of the future

WILL BROWN GK1: What club do you support? WB: Newcastle United. GK1: Why/how did you become a HARRISON LEE Exeter City goalkeeper? GK1: Who has been the biggest WB: I !irst started playing in goal when in"luence on your career and why? I was around the age of 9. The reason WB: The biggest in!luence has probably I became a goalkeeper was because I been my family as they always come to always used to get put in goal by my watch me at my games, whether it’s home older brothers and it turned out that I or 400 miles away, they are always there enjoyed it! I joined my local boys club as a supporting me. goalkeeper and started playing there. GK1: Favourite band/artist? WB: Roddy Ricch AGE: 15 WILL BROWN HEIGHT: Not known Newcastle United GLOVES: Sells GK1: Who is your footballing idol? BOOTS: Nike Tiempos INSPIRATIONAL PLAYER WB: Jordan Pickford CLUB SUPPORTED : Ederson : Torqyay / Chelsea BIGGEST INFLUENCE FAVOURITE BAND/ARTIST: Parents GK1: Biggest moment in football to date? : Oasis WB: Signing my !irst professional contract with Newcastle at the beginning of the season. GK1: What gloves do you wear? HL: Sells. GK1: What do you most like to do in your AGE: 18 HEIGHT: 183cm spare time? GK1: What boots do you wear? GLOVES: Umbro Neo Pro NEG WB: I like to play Xbox and watch football! HL: Nike Tiempos. : Umbro Neo Pro NEG BOOTS : Pickford INSPIRATIONAL PLAYER CLUB SUPPORTED: Newcastle United : Family HARRISON LEE GK1: What club do you support? BIGGEST INFLUENCE : FAVOURITE BAND/ARTIST HL: Torquay United (you’ve got to support Roddy Ricch GK1: Why/how did you become a your home club!) and Chelsea. goalkeeper? GK1: What gloves do you wear? HL: When I was little, Bobby Olejnik gave GK1: Favourite band/artist? WB: I wear Umbro Neo Pro NEG White me his gloves at the end of his last game HL: Oasis gloves. at Torquay United, which made me want to be a keeper! I played for Torquay’s GK1: Who is your footballing idol? GK1: What boots do you wear? academy for a year before it closed down HL: Ederson, really composed and good WB: Umbro Neo Pro NEG White boots. and then I signed for Exeter City. with the ball at his feet.

12 WINTER 2020 NKOLAOS BOTS e Mia U19 Aaron Ramsdale ‘Deep Dive’

Aaron Ramsdale has had a season to far closer to 30 than 20 years old and Shotstopping remember. After successful loans spells there are already murmurings about his at both Chester"ield and AFC Wimbledon, inclusion in the England senior team. Although it is often incorrectly used as the then 21-year-old made his Premier However, the purpose of this article is not the only measure of a goalkeeper’s ability, League debut on August 10th 2019 and to list o" his ever-growing catalogue of shotstopping remains an extremely has never looked back. achievements. Instead, we want to take a important tool in their skillset. There deep dive into the technical details of his have been many attempts to statistically To a casual observer, it is clear why game, using statistics to paint the picture. assess shotstopping ability - from save Ramsdale is a special talent. He is Namely, we will look at his shotstopping, percentages that fail to look at the playing at the highest level of the game distribution and cross-handling abilities to di#iculty of the shots faced to post-shot in a position where players tend to peak create an overview of Ramsdale’s game. ‘expected goals’ that solve this problem but fail to appreciate that not all saves are equal. The shortcoming of the latter approach becomes clear when one considers that a goalkeeper who cleanly holds a 40-yard shot would be rated equally to a goalkeeper who instead spilled the ball.

At New Order Analytics, the data and analytics subsidiary of GK1, we take a more nuanced approach by using a model that determines the di#iculty of a shot faced and, rather than treating saves as binary, looks at shotstopping as a myriad of outcomes – from holding a ball cleanly to dangerously parrying the ball directly in front of goal. The best shotstoppers are not those that simply save more than expected, they are those that have better outcomes than expected.

14 WINTER 2020 One of the many bene#ts of using this the 19/20 season – he has managed to hold Manuel Neuer – who also played under approach is that it allows us to determine a the ball cleanly either #rst or second time Guardiola – could “easily play as an out#eld goalkeeper’s strengths and weaknesses. For 32% of the time. On the %ip side, he appears player in the [German] third division”. Ramsdale, an area in which he has contrasting to struggle with shots aimed towards the outcomes is from shots at di"erent heights. top of the net. These types of shots tend Once again, we at New Order Analytics Taller goalkeepers tend to be more coveted, to be more di!cult to save well, which take a di"erent approach to evaluating with the most valuable goalkeeper 5’11 and our model accounts for, however this still goalkeeper distribution, which starts with under being only €4m according to German appears to be an area of improvement. the data we collect. Most data, from simple website Transfermarkt. However, this remains pass completion percent ages to advanced an ine!ciency in the market as there are Distribution models that predict pass accuracy based bene#ts to being shorter as a goalkeeper – on a myriad of factors, start with the including being able to get to low shots quicker. The distribution of goalkeepers has gained assumption that a pass is either completed signi#cance in recent years with Pep or it isn’t. Therefore - everything else being At 6’2, Ramsdale is by no means short for a Guardiola, in particular, leading the way in equal - the aforementioned Ederson side goalkeeper, however he too demonstrates which they get involved in possession. Under volley is treated the same as a lumped goal a penchant for saving low shots with his Guardiola’s tutelage, Ederson frequently kick, in which a striker wins the 50-50. No outcomes being 5.7% better than the makes the highlight reels when he hits side wonder Ederson does not get su!cient average goalkeeper in our data base. In fact, volleys through players to a teammate in credit when looking at his long pass from the 103 low shots Ramsdale faced in space, whilst Andreas Köpke stated that accuracy completion percentage.

WINTER 2020 15 Premier League 2019/20 Goalkeepers with 1,000 minutes or over

Rui Patricio Martin Dúbravka Hugo Lloris Mathew Ryan Łukasz Fabiański Vicente Guaita Jordan Pickford Alex McCarthy Alisson Ben Foster Aaron Ramsdale Bernd Leno Ederson Paulo Gazzaniga

0 20 40 60 80 Long passes accuracy %

Our data treats pass outcomes as a Ramsdale tended to go long – playing the Crossing spectrum, ranging from #nding teammates ball through approximately four and three in space, to a 50-50, to a pass that opponents respectively on average. The The third and #nal aspect of Ramsdale’s unfortunately #nds an opponent in space. majority of these long balls were hit into game we will analyse is how he deals We then see how a goalkeeper’s passing space rather than to a man directly and with crosses. Although often ignored by outcome fairs given the number of players therefore resulted in plenty 50/50s. In fact, fans and pundits alike, defending crosses they bypass. It’s much easier to #nd a from the 172 goal-kicks played by Ramsdale, is a key part of goalkeeping. It #rst and teammate in space when a pass does not a whopping 100 of them resulted in a 50/50. foremost remains an important tool in take opponents out the game and vice cutting out potential goalscoring chances versa. With his hands, Ramsdale was much more for the opposition. conservative, taking approximately one For Ramsdale, it’s interesting to see how his opponent out the game on average. This Goalkeepers have the inherent advantage distribution di"ers in style and outcome often took the form of rolling the ball to of using their hands when defending with between when he uses his feet or his hands. a nearby teammate against a set defence crosses, which o"ers them both a height Despite Bournemouth’s reputation as a ball- or quickly distributing past an opponent advantage alongside the capability to playing side, they kept 43.7% possession whilst their team was in transition. intercept the ball with complete control. – which only puts them ahead of She!eld Despite rarely attempting the spectacular, Despite its importance, defending crosses United, Watford, Burnley and Newcastle Ramsdale was nonetheless e"ective with is largely misunderstood from a data United. Within this context, it’s unsurprising his outcomes being 2.6% better than our perspective. to see that from goal-kicks and open play, model predicted.

16 WINTER 2020 The issue again predominantly lies in the The remainder he came for without needing although his handling of shots into the roof data that is collected, with many data to bypass out#elders. of the net remains an area for improvement. providers only recording simple, on-the- His distribution is reliable when playing ball events such as claims and punches. As When he elected to come for a cross, it short, however when he kicks it long, it a result, o"-the-ball information is omitted Ramsdale tended to be clean. In fact, of is often to areas of the pitch rather than with signi#cant events such as entering ‘no those 89 crosses he cleanly claimed the ball speci#c teammates. man’s land’ being ignored. Not only does 49.4% of the time. This is in stark contrast this mean that costly errors are absent from to how often he punched it, with only It’s worth pointing out, however, that this the data, it also means that a goalkeeper ’s 14.61% of his outcomes being punches. is likely partly due to tactical instruction willingness to come for the ball can only be Ramsdale’s approach to claim signi#cantly and he could fare better if he had license to evaluated when they touch it. Further more, more than punch seems optimal given that distribute in a di"erent way. When dealing most data providers de#ne this willingness a goalkeeper cannot regain possession for with crosses, Ramsdale is making a positive to come for the ball with a percentage of his team by punching the ball. Moreover, trade-o" between his aggressiveness crosses touched, which ignores the type punching the ball is a di!cult technique to and outcomes, pro#ling as marginally of cross faced. Any goalkeeper knows that execute well, with an astonishing 44.3% of below average in terms of aggressiveness a cross that arrives in the centre of the punches in our database not clearing the but being far cleaner than average in his six-yard area is easier to come for than one centre of the penalty area. outcomes. With his well-balanced skillset played near the penalty spot, how ever this as a goalkeeper, Ramsdale has the ideal is ignored by many data providers. Conclusion platform to push on and cement himself as a top Premier League goalkeeper and senior At New Order Analytics, we aim to #nd Although Aaron Ramsdale is yet to reach England international for years to come. goalkeepers making a positive trade-o" his 23rd birthday, his debut season at between aggressiveness and outcome. For arguably the highest level of domestic Ramsdale, we expected him to come for football has been remarkable. He pro#les approximately 92 crosses in the 2019/20 as a well-rounded goalkeeper with no clear season given the type and frequency weaknesses in his game. As a shotstopper, of crosses he faced, and he in fact came Ramsdale seems comfortably good for 89. His aggressiveness was therefore enough for the Premier League – around average for a goalkeeper – he was unlikely to come hurtling through players to get to a cross, nor was he likely to shirk responsibility when called upon. In fact, of the 89 crosses he came for, only twice did he bypass three players, whilst he bypassed one or two players 32 times. Punch Success Percentages

Lands beyond 12 yards from penalty area

Lands within far sides of penalty area or 12 yards from penalty area

Lands within centre of penalty area

WINTER 2020 17

FRANS HOEK There are very few people who can claim to have revolutionised the football world. Fewer still have done it twice, but Frans Hoek – the man who single-handedly changed the goalkeeping role – plans on doing exactly that.

Hoek has worked at Ajax, Barcelona and Manchester United and he has, quite literally, written the book on w hat it takes to succeed between the sticks. In 1981, the then 22-year-old Dutchman published a thesis on goalkeeping which changed the game and his life forever.

His belief goalkeepers should be far more than just shot stoppers is commonly accepted now, but back then Hoek’s work shook the game to its core. His methods appealed to the great Johan Cruy" who hired him soon after as football’s !irst specialist goalkeeping coach. The rest, as they say, is history.

GOALKEEPING: THE WAY IT IS

Hoek went on to join some of the biggest clubs in the world and teamed up with was nothing on goalkeeping before “Johan told me he’d read my book and at Ajax, Bayern Munich, that. It went from there and I became was very impressed. I could not believe United and Holland. The “Hoek method” is goalkeeper coach of Ajax when I !inished it,” says Hoek, who admits he thought well recognised across the globe. Now, 35 my playing career because of injury. someone was winding him up when Cruy" years after his thesis catapulted him into Johan signed me in 1985 as the !irst rang. working at the highest level, Hoek boldly goalkeeping coach in Europe, maybe believes his new book Goalkeeping: The even in the world. I was de!initely the !irst “Johan is Johan. He was very impressive.” Way It Is will change the way goalkeepers in Holland.” Hoek did not look back from there. Ajax, are seen yet again. under Cruy"’s guidance, was the perfect Hoek was a talented goalkeeper with an place for him to implement his coaching “The impact of this one will be even unusual, combative style. His background style. bigger. I really think this book will be a in judo – he had a black belt – meant he game changer,” Hoek says. “I’ve been had no fear diving at the feet of opponents Hoek has two major philosophies. The #rst is writing it for the last six years. I started and he soon caught the eye. He chose to goalkeepers must be involved in their team’s writing my !irst thesis when I was 20 and join Volendam ahead of other clubs as build-up play and work hard on their game still playing at Volendam in the . they allowed him to play at the same time to acquire the skills to do so. My teacher, who was also a professional as continuing his education. It proved a coach, told me he liked it. wise decision as when injury struck, Hoek The second is goalkeepers learn better already had his thesis – one which caught by training in match-style environments, A huge attention on goalkeeping came the eye of one of football’s biggest names instead of mainly working in isolation away out of it. That was my !irst aim. There – behind him. from their out#eld team-mates. Of course,

WINTER 2020 19 they do need that as well but only when were not able to do a good job. Until then, “If you look at Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is needed, not as standard. goalkeeping was completely di"erent. still the most expensive goalkeeper in the When the new rule came in, I was lucky to world, he hasn’t managed to be successful It took some time for Hoek to implement be in a country and at a club which used it at Chelsea. those methods as a young coach, but when to our advantage. It #tted fantastically into Cruy" took over at Ajax he installed Stanley Dutch football and Ajax’s way of playing.” “There are a lot of factors you have to Menzo as #rst-choice goalkeeper because of take into account, but the next era of his ability to read the game and defend the THE SWEEPER!KEEPER goalkeeping is just starting. Most head big space behind the defence. He was really coaches these days are asked about player 11 in the team because he also was The era of the sweeper-keeper – something goalkeeping and they say, ‘I don’t know a good out#eld player. Things continued to Hoek had predicted in his thesis – had now anything – I have a goalkeeping coach and progress. A young began arrived. it’s up to him.’ to emerge and soon after Van Gaal took charge in Amsterdam in 1991 came a critical “These days every goalkeeper is required That’s unacceptable because if you look moment which worked in Hoek’s favour. to play with their feet, but it’s funny how at a team like City, can tell long it took for that to arrive,” says Hoek. you everything about how he wants his “I’m a big believer in goalkeepers practicing “For example, everyone looked at Brazilian team to build play. “Coaches need to take and being integrated with the team,” he goalkeepers 15 or 20 years ago and said more responsibility for goalkeeping, and it says. “My thesis created a lot of attention they weren’t the best in the world. Now they needs to be much more integrated. I’m so all over the world and from then on every have so many top goalkeepers. happy my book will be ready in the next team in every country started having a year because it #ts the pro#le of what’s goalkeeper coach. Now goalkeeper coaches “Let’s be honest, Manchester City started needed from today’s goalkeeper and from are accepted worldwide which is good. to win trophies when Ederson came in. the goalkeeper coach. I think there will be a “The change in the pass-back rule in 1992 Liverpool started to win trophies when lot of criticism of it because it’s very di"erent added a completely new dimension. Most Alisson came in. But paying a lot of money but so logical and based on reading the goalkeepers then hated it because they for a goalkeeper is no guarantee. game.”

20 WINTER 2020 The players Hoek has worked with directly call which gave us the biggest chance of “It’s a very interesting project. Japan would make up a goalkeeping hall of fame. winning.” produces very good players, but the world- Van der Sar, Victor Valdes, Pepe Reina and class goalkeeper they need for 2050 hasn’t David de Gea – among others – have all even been born yet.” %ourished under his guidance. If FIFA He has several other roles including one Interestingly, Hoek’s methods were a shock decides the with UEFA, but it is his upcoming book to and unpopular with de Gea initially when which excites him most. Hoek is reticent he arrived at United with Van Gaal. Prior goalkeeper to delve too much into its detail, but he to that, de Gea had been used to mostly can no longer has previously discussed how the role of training alone. a goalkeeper will evolve if the rule makers use their arms, decide they can no longer use their arms to “The reality is when you come into a new save. club you need to change things and at you need to United I did it from day one to be honest. I “If FIFA decide the goalkeeper can no did it more or less the way I wanted,” Hoek be prepared longer use their arms, you need to be says. prepared for that. How could we turn for that. How that to our advantage? It would be very AHEAD OF THE CURVE could we turn interesting.” Hoek has always been ahead of the curve, It sums Hoek up. This is a man who has never afraid to think outside the box, and it that to our never been afraid to challenge pre- was at the 2014 World Cup where he made advantage? conceived conceptions, It has made him one arguably his most de#ning impact. of football’s most specialist and successful coaches. So why stop now? In Holland ’s quarter-#nal with Costa Rica A NEW PROJECT and on the advice of Hoek, Dutch boss “I started in 1985 and made all the mistakes Van Gaal replaced No 1 goalkeeper Jasper At 63 Hoek continues to innovate and you can make as a young coach. Now it’s Cillessen with Tim Krul in the 120th minute challenge himself and those around him. 2020, but I think I’m still bringing common and with a penalty shoot out imminent. He works alongside the Japanese Football sense to football and that’s why I’m still in Hoek knew Krul was a better penalty Federation to help them #nd and produce the game” Hoek says. stopper than Cillessen, but Van Gaal’s top goalkeepers and realise their dream of decision to substitute the latter was still a becoming World Cup winners in 2050. huge call.

At the time it shocked almost everyone, but Hoek does not know why. Krul went on to save two penalties as Holland won the shootout 4-3.

“When penalties are close managers take out players who are not so good at penalties in favour of those who are. Everybody accepts that,” Hoek says.

“In that instance we had one goalkeeper who was not so good at saving penalties. We also had all the scienti#c data to prove it. As a goalkeeping coach you are no more than an adviser – the head coach always decides. The whole world was watching that game, but it was a perfectly logical change in my opinion. It is still not common, but even if it hadn’t worked out it was still the

WINTER 2020 21

ANDY DIBBLE

When you’ve worked in football for almost four decades, as Cardi! City’s goalkeeping coach Andy Dibble has , there’s very little you haven’t seen. Even so, the Bluebirds have had a remarkable journey over the last three years.

Dibble’s three full seasons coaching career was surely winning the League Cup complementary. “Their goalkeeper with his hometown club have had at Wembley with underdogs Luton Town, was absolutely superb. He kept them in something of a roller coaster feel to whom he joined from Cardi" in 1984. the game when they could have been them. Cardi! gained promotion to the !inished,” he said. Premier League after "inishing second in With Arsenal leading 2$1 late on in the 1988 the Championship in 2017/18, but were !inal, Dibble saved a penalty from Nigel TIME IN SCOTLAND unable to retain their place in the top Winterburn which kept the Hatters in the "light the following year. match. Goals from Danny Wilson and Brian Nine years later he joined Rangers on loan Stein in the !inal eight minutes saw Luton and made his debut in the small matter Many teams struggle to bounce back win their !irst – and to date only – major of a Glasgow derby with the league title following relegation, but Neil Harris’ side trophy. on the line. Rangers won 1$0 at the home earned a play-o" spot last season, only of their !ierce rivals and went on to win to lose to Fulham in the semi-!inal. It has The spot kick save was crucial, but the championship for a ninth successive certainly been an eventful period for the Dibble made many great stops during season. club. the game and received high praise from both managers afterwards. Luton boss Dibble also won three caps for Wales and And it carries echoes of when Dibble Ray Harford said, “considering all the would have won more had Neville Southall began playing !irst team football with the circumstances, I think Dibble had to be – arguably the number one goalkeeper in Bluebirds in 1982. They lost their Division the man of the match,” while Arsenal the world at the time – not been ahead of Two status that year, but he helped them manager George Graham was just as him in the pecking order. gain promotion in 1982/83. The 55-year- old has certainly experienced the highs and lows that inevitably come along in a lengthy football career.

“The promotion we had (two years ago) and then getting to the play-o"s this year was equally fantastic,” he said. “The experience of the Premier League was great, pitting your wits against top opposition. On the whole, the four years I’ve been back at my hometown club have been eventful, I got in at the right time.”

WINNING THE LEAGUE CUP

Dibble, whose son Christian is a goalkeeper for National League side Wrexham, played for 16 teams during his time as a professional. A trophy winner on both sides of the border, the high point of his

WINTER 2020 23 But competing for a single spot in the XI Dibble then moved onto Rotherham for a “I’ve been lucky, they’ve all been good to is part-and-parcel of life when you take seven-season spell. As with Peterborough, me and they let me get on with things. The up the most specialised position on the the Millers went up from League Two style of play comes from the manager, but football !ield. The Cardi" goalkeepers through to the Championship in successive the goalkeeping coaching sessions come Dibble currently works with have certainly seasons while he was coaching there. from me.” experienced this in the last two years. The ‘keepers he worked with at While he will always be in charge of Neil Etheridge, who has now departed Rotherham included Adam Collin, who the training programme, it’s important Cardi" to join Birmingham City, was was named as one of the Champion to Andy that his players feel free to widely praised for his form in the Premier ship’s six most in!luential players by The contribute ideas too. “There’s always two- League in 2018/19 and Alex Smithies Guardian in 2014, and , yet way communication with the lads. I like played the majority of the games in the another goalkeeper who won his club’s their feedback, whether we need more of Championship last season. They both won player of the season award on Dibble’s this or less of that. the club’s player of the year award in the watch. He’s clearly talented coach and respective campaigns, which is a huge enjoys the role immensely. Sometimes they’ll come up with things source of satisfaction to Dibble. they think they might need improving on. MAINTAINING HIGH I’m always looking for things they need to “I’m proud and privileged to have had improve on or issues I’ve seen in games. two lads that are both very, very good. STANDARDS There’s a good two-way feel to it.” Excellent championship goalkeepers” he “I love my role as a goalkeeping coach, it’s said. “And we shouldn’t forget Joe Day, like a continuation from my playing days. “Gone are the days when coaches said who went out to AFC Wimbledon on loan The experiences I went through, during it was ‘my way or the highway ’. There this season and did really well with them.” my career, stand me in good stead.” wasn’t as much emphasis put on specialist coaching when I was a player.” The current crop of ‘keepers at Cardi" His high standards have enabled Dibble to aren’t the only great stoppers Dibble has work with many managers who have been EMBRACING coached either. While at Peterborough successful in the Football League – Neil between 2007 and 2009 – two seasons Warnock and Darren Ferguson to name STATISTICS in which the club secured back-to-back just two. Dibble is also more-than-happy to promotions – he worked with Joe Lewis, embrace the advanced statistical analysis who went on to become Aberdeen’s But with such headstrong personalities which has swept across football in recent !irst choice goalkeeper in 2016 and occupying the manager’s o#ice, how times. “The IT and analysis guys at the now has over 130 Scottish Premiership does the dynamic work when it comes to club work very closely with everyone. appearances under his belt. coaching the goalkeepers? We’re always looking at di"erent stats and

24 WINTER 2020 trying to pick up new ideas. There’s always “For him to come back after not playing than in my day. Saying that, they’re getting something new to learn.” for over a year to become the club’s player paid more money, so they could retire of the season is incredible. He was in a low early if they wanted to!” Many of the more traditional aspects of place last season, and he had a couple of training and improving goalkeepers may problems with injuries as well. So, it was So after almost 40 years in senior seem obvious. But the mental side of it – di#icult for him, but he’s bounced back, football, there’s little for Dibble left to which will have a di"erent impact on the he’s in a really good place, and he had a achieve. But how about taking a shot at various ‘keepers depending on whether fantastic season.” management? they are currently in the starting XI or not – is vital. Dibble’s own playing career lasted over “You can never say never. If it ever gets 20 years, a testament to his willingness thrown at me, I’ll have a go. I’ve done to go out on loan in order to get playing my quali!ications, but the things I’ve You can time. But he had to look after himself too, been through also help me to help the and the players of today certainly have an players. You can see things from their never say advantage over him in that respect. perspective,” he said.

never. If it “Yeah with the !itness coach and With the experience and success he’s their diet, they really are given more enjoyed in the game, you wouldn’t bet ever gets information than years ago. I think the against Dibble prospering in management thrown at longevity of today’s player will be longer if he tried it. me, I’ll have a go.

“One of them is going to be on a high as he’s playing all the time, while the number two is going to be a little bit unhappy. The psychology side of it is massive,” he said. Andy gave a real insight into the mental battles goalkeepers face when we spoke.

“You’re always trying to help them, encourage them, talk to them. Players can be a"ected by anything, sometimes it’s something that’s happened at home. And injuries too of course. There are so many di"erent things to deal with, on a day-to- day, month-to-month basis.”

Dibble knew all-too-well about !itness issues during his own time as a player. He made around 450 appearances in all competitions but says his only regret was not getting to 600.

But it was injuries that cost him game time, and they are another issue which plays into the psychology of being a player. When we spoke, he was fulsome in his praise of how World In Motion client Smithies has dealt with such tribulations in the last couple of years.

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OUTSIDE THE BOX As is common knowledge in football, many players #nd coming towards the end of their career di$cult. A career in football can pass in the blink of an eye, and those who were used to training every day and puling on a club shirt every Saturday, suddenly don’t.

Unfortunately, as a footballer, because of the wages, I suppose, and because of your pro!ile, you’re not seen as a human being, as such, you’re seen as a someone who is a pathway to likes, retweets or whatever it might be. You need to learn that one bad game doesn’t make you a bad goalie or make a bad season. All that matters is that you try to improve, work hard and listen to the people that are going to help you and who care about you.”

What are your aspirations after football?

“Well, I own The One Glove with Miles and Will [Leighton]. That’s grown nicely over the last few years and it’s something I try to do as much as I can. With playing it’s di#icult, but it is something I would like to do when I retire because it’s enjoyable.

Maybe, rather than just doing the At GK1, our ‘Outside the Box’ feature He left Newcastle in 2020 and we spoke to gloves, helping goalkeepers and young attempts to explore the avenues that him about business, his academy and the goalkeepers, exploring all the avenues players can go down when the time plans he has in place for when he decides of the business side of things, because "inally arrives to hang up the boots or to hang up the gloves. when you have been doing football for take o! the gloves for the last time. 17/18 years you look for other stu" to Is there a piece of advice you stimulate you. I’ve also done my A license, Rob Elliot is a professional goalkeeper wish you had been given as a goalkeeper and out!ield, so an opportunity with plenty of experience. Starting his young goalkeeper? might come up there as well!” career at Charlton, Rob went out on loan to Bishop’s Stortford, Notts County “The thing I wish would have stuck would What were your reasons for and Accrington Stanley, where he won have just been to lose any fear. To realise that getting involved in The One Glove promotion to the Football League. He then people who criticise you, or the social media and what are your hopes going played for Charlton’s !irst team before side of things, to ignore that and realise it’s forward? earning a move to Newcastle United and not real. Nowadays, the media is so current featured heavily in the 2015/16 Premier and instant that they need to make a big deal I tried the gloves and liked them, so they League campaign. out of anything to stay relevant. sponsored me. One of the things about

36 WINTER 2020 them was that the cost was really low, but Do you think that there is enough and the idea is to just keep developing it, the quality was so high. I ended up telling support for footballers when making it better and better so that lads them I’d like to get involved properly. their careers come to an end? improve. The main thing is that they enjoy That was in 2013 and it’s just gone from it, they get a good education at the end of strength to strength. “There are a lot of rewards if you get to it from the BTEC program. the top level, which most footballers aren’t Going forward, we have a lot of lucky enough to do. It can be di#icult Also, if there are any lads that slip through goalkeepers nationally and internationally, when you !inish. I’ve been through it the footballing net or the pyramid, that but we want to raise the pro!ile, we want myself where I’ve just left Newcastle they get a chance to keep training and to try to get the gloves to the highest level where I’d been for 9 years and one day, hopefully get picked up one day. Newcastle possible and get them as much exposure you’re told that you’re !inished now, o" isn’t like London or other cities where there as we can. We also want to expand soon, you go and that’s it. I said goodbye to a are multiple clubs at di"erent levels, it’s do more on social media, more tips to try few people and you don’t go back to that trying to give them more of an opportunity and help the younger generation and see place again, which is a bit surreal. You and give something back as well.” where that takes us – we hope we can don’t get much closure. make it a household name. Is there anything outside of the However, there has been a massive football world that you would like Do you have any advice for improvement, you’ve got the PFA and to get into? goalkeepers reaching the latter initiatives run by ex-players. I think the end of their careers? biggest thing is encouraging people, “I’ve always been quite keen on men and women, to come forward and businesses; I’m involved in a few. There I think to make sure that when you !inish admit that you’re struggling, or you’re are a few other things that I’m involved football, your lifestyle stays the same. worried about something. it might just be in, I just try to be a part of as many Mine won’t change much from when I a quick phone call, it might be more but things as possible because you just don’t am playing to when I !inish, because I’ve it’s making sure that if someone needs know what’s around the corner. I’ve just got a family and I’m quite grounded. I to speak then there is stu" there to help got involved with one of my childhood think a lot of players struggle when they them.” friends actually, Mike Williamson, we’ve stop playing, a lot of things change. You’ll developed an app, Train my Athlete, which probably never be completely prepared What was your motivation to set allows sports scientists and pros to be for not playing football, but it’s about up the Newcastle Elite Academy? able to communicate and without any giving yourself the best opportunity to contact, which is obviously quite big right continue and make sure that life goes on “It’s about giving back. Newcastle is a very now because of the coronavirus situation. as normal, so you’re not worried about unique place; football is such an important It’s about bringing the skills you learn money, your mental health, whatever it part of the culture and the city. Giving the from football, that you might not realise might be. kids the chance to play like professionals you have, into the business world.”

WINTER 2020 37 Meet the team The World in Motion / GK1 Management group is one of the UK’s foremost sports management companies, with a reputation for both professional excellence and integrity. The company o%ers a comprehensive and exclusive management service to footballers, and each aspect of a player’s career is dealt with by a quali#ed expert. Andy Evans - Chairman and Registered Intermediary Chairman and founder of World in Motion (in 1997), Andy’s experience in the !ields of commercial and sports law is one of the foundation stones of our success. Having established a reputation as a formidable lawyer with international law !irm, Fresh!ields, Andy became a licensed FA players’ agent in 1997 and has negotiated over 500 transfers. He is !luent in French and Spanish and represents clubs home and abroad, helping them !ind the !inest talents around the globe. Andy is also editor-in-chief of GK1 magazine. Email: [email protected]

Charles Mounti!ield - Chief Executive O#icer As Chief Executive O#icer at World in Motion, Charles works closely with Chairman Andy Evans on company operations in general and business development in Australia in particular. Charles is a former Director of World in Motion and after twenty years working in professional sport in the UK and France, Charles returned to Australia in 2011 with Essentially Group and was the company’s CEO until 2014. Charles read law and sports management at university and holds an LLM in Sports Law and an MSc in Sports Management. He speaks French and combines his role at World in Motion with consultancy work and university lecturing. Email: cmounti"[email protected]

Bill Pethybridge - Licensed Players Agent Bill joined World in Motion in 2000 from a leading multi discipline marketing agency, Exposure, where he was heavily involved in the planning and implementation of nationwide promotional and marketing campaigns. Prior to Exposure, Bill spent six years working as an Event co-ordinator and travelled Europe working at high pro!ile sporting events. After gaining his FIFA licence in 2001 Bill has built up his own portfolio of clients, and now represents a number of Premier League and Football League players. As World in Motion has grown, Bill has taken on more responsibility in terms of recruiting and managing young players and developing our links with foreign players and their representatives. Email: [email protected]

James Lippett - Licensed Players Agent James joined World in Motion from New Era Global Sports in October 2010, having obtained his Agent’s License in 2008. Based in London, James has a domestic client list comprising Premier League, Championship, League 1 and 2. He also represents a number of international players that are currently playing overseas and a select group of Managers/Head Coaches. James has also become an in!luential agent in the German market having negotiated transfers to take players to Bundesliga/Bundesliga 2 and also has also moved players from Germany to England. Email: [email protected]

Danny Naisbitt - FA Licensed Intermediary Danny Naisbitt joined the World in Motion team in February 2016. Ex-professional goalkeeper Danny had a playing career which lasted over twenty years and he played for a host of clubs including; Middlesbrough, Walsall, Barnet, Brentford, AFC Wimbledon, Histon, Brighton (loan) and Cambridge United. Danny’s clients include Premier League players/goalkeepers. Email: [email protected]

Mark Bennett - Licensed Players Agent Mark has had a !ifteen-year career in the football industry and has built a notable reputation as an international intermediary. He has successfully negotiated numerous contracts for players and clubs in both the UK and throughout Europe. Mark brings a host of skills to World in Motion including professionalism, integrity and a focus on building long term associations with clients. Email: [email protected]

Charlie McNicholas - Licensed Players Agent Charlie joined the World in Motion team in 2010. He is responsible for the identi!ication and recruitment of UK talent and for our Spanish and Portuguese o#ice. A graduate of Oxford University, Charlie is also !luent in three foreign languages, enabling him to play an integral role in the rapidly expanding overseas division of World in Motion. Email: [email protected]

38 WINTER 2020 Ian Bird - Sports Agent Ian joined World in Motion after several years in the industry spent establishing Evolution Sports Management, specialising in Cricket, Rugby and Boxing. Based in Cardi", the business has established a strong market presence and Ian has developed a reputation for honest, ethical management. Ian brings with him a stable of talented clients and will look to develop new areas of business at World in Motion along with promoting the overall brand. Email: [email protected]

Chris Atkins - Licensed Players Agent Chris joined us from RWMG Sports Management where he worked across the Asia-Paci!ic region concluding deals in Japan, China and Thailand. Chris has developed a signi!icant presence in women’s football, representing over thirty clients across several countries including Spain, France, Sweden, Portugal and China. Clients have played Champions League football for clubs such as Ben!ica, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, while nine clients played at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Chris’ roster also includes 2018 AFC Women’s Footballer of the Year Wang Shuang and 2018 CAF African Women’s Footballer of the Year Thembi Kgatlana. Chris has taken on a role of developing both men’s and women’s football in Asia whilst growing his client base in women’s football globally. Email: [email protected]

Michael Gorman - Attorney & Licensed Player Agent Michael manages the American MLS and South American markets for World in Motion, dividing his time between Los Angeles and Medellin, Colombia. His strong relationships in South America and understanding of the complex MLS rules have helped him to negotiate over €25 million in total transactions since 2012. Michael speaks Spanish !luently and previously worked as a !inance attorney for investment funds and the United States federal government. Email: [email protected]

Gabor Lucza - Football Consultant Gabor runs the Central European o#ice for World in Motion and divides his time between Hungary and England. Gabor is a former Hungarian U19 player, whose career was cut short by injury at the age of 21. Before joining World in Motion, Gabor was with Nike Hungary for a number of years, forming relationships with clubs, players and corporates. Gabor has excellent relationships with a number of clubs in Central and Eastern Europe and has been integral in developing a successful Central European branch of the company. Email: [email protected]

Dejan Smuk - Football Consultant Dejan Smuk joined World in Motion in 2015. He was CEO at a leading outdoor advertising provider in Slovenia, also worked in Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Macedonia. The company has been owned by two private equity funds from the UK and Poland and having been sold to one of the major global outdoor advertising groups, he was involved in implementation of regionwide promotional and marketing campaigns which brought him a wealth of contacts in a Balkan region. The former football player has a background in coaching and scouting and has previously worked with a lot of football clubs in the region, where he was responsible for marketing and development strategy. This brought him an in-depth knowledge of the former Yugoslavian football market. Dejan speaks English and all languages of former Yugoslavian countries. Email: [email protected]

Theo Karasavvidis - Football Consultant A former professional football player who played for the Greek National Team, made over 300 appearances in the Greek Super league and spent seven years playing in Italy, Theo has been a football agent for over ten years. He has been involved in many major transfers and he is considered to be an expert in !inding young, talented athletes. He has an excellent knowledge of the Italian and Greek football market and is !luent in Italian, Greek and English. Email: [email protected]

Alex Wylie - Head of Data Analytics As Head of Data Analytics at World in Motion, Alex identi!ies talent and provides support to football clubs with their recruitment processes. In addition to holding BSc and MRes degrees, he is an accomplished programmer who brings experience of implementing data science techniques within a myriad of industries – including professional football at Leicester City. Email: [email protected]

Ben Read - Social Media and Database Manager Ben joined World in Motion in 2019 to take responsibility of the company’s online presence through social media, as well as working closely with agents to manage the in-house database / app. Ben holds a BSc in Psychology and during his time at University published a dissertation on the ‘Impact of Colour on Sports Performance’ focussing speci!ically on a large sample of English Premier League games. Ben was also deputy editor of this magazine. Email: [email protected] Your future in safe hands

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