iCanCoach Neil Redfearn Q&A
Tell us about how and why you got involved in coaching?
I had the best coach as a young player, my Father, who had been a professional player himself and who had played with such innovators such as the late Eric Harrison (ex Man Utd Youth Coach) that worked with and developed the likes of Beckham and Scholes to name just a couple.
He would design sessions for me as an attacking midfielder and he would talk about things like ‘pitch geography’ when receiving in and around the box so I was comfortable getting shots off quickly under pressure to score.
He was ahead of his time and my career was living proof.
Subsequently from a young age I had organised coaching with a professional background to aide my development.
I did my first coaching qualification at Doncaster Deaf School and enjoyed it so much that I quickly enrolled on my UEFA B licence at Sheff Utd Academy with Denis Mortimer PFA.
He used to say to me that I should put my experience as a player into my sessions, so around the framework add the detail which will give players chance to benefit from my vast experience.
Where have you coached?
My first coaching role was as First Team Coach at Halifax Town under manager Paul Bracewell, since then my coaching career has been long and varied.
Scarborough Athletic – Player/First team coach
York City - Centre of Excellance Manager / First Team Assistant
Leeds United – U18’s Coach / U23 Manager / First Team Coach / First Team Manager
Rotherham United – First Team Manager
Doncaster Rovers Belles WFC – First Team Manager
Liverpool WFC – First Team Manager
Newcastle United – U23 Manager
Sheff United WFC - Manager
Neil is the current Manager of Sheffield United Women in The FA Women's Championship
Where are you coaching now and where have you coached?
I’m currently at Sheffield United as Manager of the Women’s team.
My previous clubs in coaching are as follows:
Scarborough Athletic – First Team Coach
York City - Centre of Excellance Manager / First Team Assistant
Leeds United – U18’s Coach / U23 Manager / First Team Coach / First Team Manager
Rotherham United – First Team Manager
Doncaster Rovers Belles WFC – First Team Manager
Liverpool WFC – First Team Manager
Newcastle United – U23 Manager
Sheff United WFC - Manager
What do you enjoy about coaching football?
I enjoy players developing and progressing whether that be Kalvin Phillips at Leeds who I gave his debut to or Courtney Sweetman-Kirk who is a vastly experienced striker in the WSL.
What are your greatest achievements in coaching and why?
I would say my greatest achievement in coaching so far would be developing a crop of U18’s at Leeds United into the U23’s whom I progressed with and then giving them debuts in the First Team as First Team Manager.
My journey therefore, mirrored that of the players from U18’s to U23’s to First Team.
Players included Kalvin Philips, Sam Byram, Charlie Taylor, Alex Mowatt, Lewie Coyle and Bailey Peacock-Farrell to name a few.
All these players came through on my journey from Academy to First Team.
Neil Redfearn in his Leeds United days
What is your best memory of coaching?
Winning the WSL Championship with Doncaster Belles by 10 points with some of the best players I have worked with.
What are your goals in the coaching?
I have learnt a lot from both men and women players as a coach and I feel ready now to kick on whether in the men’s or women’s game.
I feel having all these experiences working with different genders have made me a far better coach.
What are the biggest obstacles you have faced in coaching?
Probably the biggest challenge has been overcoming adversity and making sure I learnt the valuable lessons from all these experiences.
For example, when I was helping Halifax Town’s struggle to stay in the Football League I never once thought I’d manage Leeds United in the Championship but the lessons from managing under pressure at Halifax helped me steer Leeds United from 4th bottom of the Championship to a very comfortable 15th only 9 points off a play-off position.
Who’s had the biggest influence in your coaching career and why?
My Dad, hands down because not only did I have a Dad that loved me as a son but also a Dad that paid attention to detail in my development as a footballer but also showed me humility to learn from his and my own mistakes along the way.
What advice would you give to people wishing to get involved in coaching football?
Do it, as it so rewarding.
Do your coaching Qualifications as they allow you to framework your ideas and develop better understanding of yourself and your core beliefs.
But for me seeing young people get opportunities and thrive with your input and having the honour to share their journey.