Stuart Smith

Arne Slot has openly questioned the idea that coach development is only validated through formal courses. He finds it ridiculous that Continuous Professional Development is measured by certificates and classroom hours, while the countless hours spent actually coaching, learning on the pitch, solving real problems, and developing players often go unrecognized. For Slot, real learning happens in the day to day coaching, not just in a course environment.

⚠️💸 Ferran Torres: “Hansi Flick has just changed the rules on arriving late”. “If it's matchday and you're late, you have to pay €40,000 fine”, told @El_Hormiguero.

Reading @GarethSouthgate’s book about leadership on flight to Miami. Sage advice right here, especially given the current news headlines…

@CCD_Essex That’s great, thanks for letting me know! It’s looks great, looking forward to using it on my coaching journey 👍🏼

@stuart5smith Hi Stuart, Good question. Initially, it will be a PDF however, at some stage in the future, I'm hoping there will be a paperback version.

Out Saturday Ideal for... Grassroots Football Clubs or New or Developing Grassroots Coaches. "I wish I'd have had this when I started my Coaching Journey".

@RJPcoach Congratulations 🙌🏼

This is a special moment, receiving my FA coaches kit, and starting to represent the FA as a Grassroots Coach Developer. From the first CPD event I attended, I thought that being able to imparting knowledge to other coaches was a privileged position, now I get to do it as a job.

@JPR_25 @The_CoachingLab I have attended one of your sessions and can’t believe any coaches wouldn’t benefit from some support from you!

After this post has gone off... I am on the lookout for 3️⃣ grassroots clubs/ teams/ coaches to support! Reply to this tweet why you'd love @The_CoachingLab help for your coaching...

@JPR_25 I wouldn’t say it’s an unpopular opinion for those that can see the benefits of it! I think it’s a brilliant idea 🤩

Unpopular opinion, but grassroots clubs should invest in a coach developer to co-coach and support coaches every week, rather than pay the crazy money for coaches' qualifications, and yes granted, some qualifications are mandatory, and I appreciate that. #TickBox

Suicide. I'm choosing to be deliberately blunt and provocative in this post because it's necessary. Government, charities, football clubs are all pushing water up a hill in highlighting what is undoubtedly a major health crisis. You take a rope. You put it up in a garage or a tree nearby or far away. You're thinking about every loved one you'll leave behind as you put that rope around your neck. Then you drop. Some are decapitated. Some aren't. All are found by someone who has a lifetime of trauma that will never leave them. A son. A daughter. A brother. A sister. A mother. A father. I know 2 men who hung themselves. One was found by his Mom. One was found by his brother. Neither have recovered fully. 20 and 30 years on. A life sentence for people who were already worrying, terrified their loved one may do something. So just visualise the above and ask, "is there another way"? A segway for a moment. I do a few Q&A's every year. Tales of yesterday with a 99% male audience of my age group. After the stories and fun, my last question back to the audience is.. "Hands up if you struggle with a mental health issue". Nobody ever puts a hand up. Despite 1 in every 3 of 500 attendees statistically struggling. "Ah, nobody, that's fucking brilliant! Well I do! ". I then graphically tell people, stunned into silence about how a rope around my neck in the middle of nowhere jolted me to go home and cry like a baby to my Mom. After the Q&A has finished, something always happens. I'll be chatting to a few guys, saying bye and one by one, men will come over and whisper " I struggle". Or my mailbox the next day will have 30 emails from guys, their partners or kids saying " Dad/Uncle /Brother was there last night and what you said hit them hard". And that's how some people realise that it's time to speak to a pal or family member or even rant to me in an email. It works, I often get a follow up email a year or 6 later saying that they took responsibility for their suicidal feelings and are now flying. Humans are programmed to want to live, to have families and to keep the species growing and thriving. So for a human to want to short circuit that desire isn't normal, and it should never be spoken of as normal. It's the ultimate red flag. If you suspect your mate, Dad, Brother, Uncle is struggling mentally, they deserve your intervention. They deserve a " are you OK, please tell me what's up". They deserve an opportunity to get past wanting to hang a rope over a tree or in a garage and slowly struggle until they die and you find them. If you've been there and trust me I have plenty, then you'll know that text out of the blue, or a footie mate or one of your kids asking jow you are can open the curtains to some sunshine. Because when suicide is your only answer, the room is already dark, and you can't see a way out. So please, fucking pretty please, ask that husband, Dad, Uncle, Cousin, footie pal TODAY how they are. You may be shocked what comes back but extremely glad that you asked. For those who struggle, you're not alone.

What a great idea ☀️ Ian Holloway's skin cancer diagnosis and Hannah Penn's experience with melanoma helped inspire the addition of a colour-changing UV logo on Swindon Town’s training kit – warning players when the sun's rays are strong. #STFC #BBCFootball #BBCEFL

Never seen anything like it! Penalty re-taken twice, Berke Ozer saves all 3 attempts!! 🧤 ⚽️ 👏👏👏👏👏

Having been involved in football for a long time, I've come to realise that badges are no guarantee of quality coaching. Whether it's the club badge, or the coaching badge, it doesn't mean the coach will be at a certain level. I've seen grassroots L1 coaches who are more competent than UEFA B coaches wearing a professional club coaching kit. That certificate or club badge doesn't guarantee that they care, can communicate well, connect with people, or develop players. You can have the knowledge, but you are only as good as what you do with it.

@The_CoachingLab Yes

You don’t need 10 drills. You need 3 games with endless variations. We'd challenge any sports leader to have a bank for core games. Want to know ours? Reply with 👉🏼 "YES"

99% of the time, it's adults who ruin youth football. Whether it's the parent who's living vicariously through their child and puts far too much pressure on them, or the win at all costs coach who thinks they are a premier league manager! Fortunately, they are in the minority.

🧠 IMAGINE your child’s maths teacher shouting at them for getting a question wrong! It would never happen, so why should football be any different? Mistakes are part of learning, be there to support and guide them.

This week's #FeaturedAppointments focusses on Steps 2, 3 & 4 which kick off this weekend! ⚽ Best of luck to everyone starting their season! 🤞

Florian Wirtz is a Red.

@AandHReferees C

What's your call? 👀 #WeAreReferees

The @AdobeWFACup Final 2025