Fuller relishing Stoke coaching role

AFTER EARNING legendary status as a player at Stoke City, Ricardo Fuller is now throwing his heart and soul into nurturing the next generation of stars in the Potteries.

The former Jamaica striker is back at his old stomping ground, coaching at the club’s Category One Academy on a 23-month programme facilitated by the Professional Player to Coach Scheme (PPCS).

Delivered by the Premier League in partnership with the Professional Footballer’s Association and EFL, it is a project aimed at increasing the number of players from diverse backgrounds to transition into full-time coaching roles within the professional game.

It’s an initiative that requires clubs to partner up with the PPCS, and after receiving outstanding feedback from Fuller’s UEFA B licence presentation, Stoke reached out to their former striker to suggest they would be willing to help him continue his coaching journey at the Academy.

“I only learned about the scheme after I had completed my UEFA B presentation, and I was thrilled to discover that Stoke City were interested in bringing me back,” Fuller says with pride.

“Nothing was guaranteed. I had to do some test sessions and go through an interview process, but thankfully, that went fantastically well, and now that I am here it just feels like a great fit.

“Being a former player can only get you so far in the coaching game,” continues Fuller, who speaks with tremendous passion.

“There are many different aspects to life on this side of the fence, and this initiative is providing me with valuable experiences.

“I am meant to spend at least six weeks at every level from the under-9s to the under-21s, which is just perfect. Initially I was observing, then I did some passive coaching, and for the last five months or so I have been planning sessions, leading sessions, reflecting and reviewing sessions, as well as gaining insights into analysis, recruitment and sports science.

“The Professional Player to Coach Scheme is absolutely massive for my personal development.

“Whether I stay in the Academy system or go on to become a head coach at first-team level one day, I know that what I am doing now will have helped me so much.”

Fuller’s playing career spanned an incredible 20 years, scoring 134 goals for 14 different clubs.

STARRING ROLE

He earned 72 caps for Jamaica but is arguably best remembered for his exploits with Stoke under Tony Pulis, playing a starring role in their 2007/08 promotion to the Premier League, and their continued top-flight success.

The 44-year-old ended up retiring three times, coming back twice to take up player-coaching roles at Nantwich Town and Hanley Town in a bid to accrue the “coaching hours” he needed to complete his UEFA B licence.

His progress was then held up for around 18 months during the pandemic, but now he is fully focused on achieving his aspirations as a coach.

“I just cannot multitask,” admits Fuller. “When I was a player, I only thought about being the best player I could be. Coaching was not on my radar. But the moment I realised coaching was going to be my next step, it has been a total priority, and I am giving it everything I can to succeed.

“Coaching felt very natural to me from the outset. I instantly loved it. When I was a player as soon as I drove through the training ground gates I came alive, and I get that same feeling now when I take that whistle and stopwatch with me on to the training pitch. That’s when I feel at my best.”

Premierleague.com