Former England No. 2 Les Reed has been appointed Team GB open football coach after Michael Stone was forced to pull out due to his commitment at Rushden & Diamonds.
April 28, 2009 13:34
ByAnonymous, Anonymous
Former England No. 2 Les Reed has been appointed Team GB open football coach after Michael Stone was forced to pull out due to his commitment at Rushden & Diamonds.
One of the most distinguished coaches in English football, Reed was assistant coach to England during Kevin Keegan’s reign. He joined Charlton at first team coach in 1995 and helped them reach the Division One playoffs in his first season.
Premier League status was achieved in 1998 and a reluctant Reed was persuaded by Howard Wilkinson to join the new set up at The FA. He was given total responsibility for providing the future England international players and helped develop the likes of Wayne Rooney, James Milner, Matthew Dawson and Carlton Cole. In June 1998 his first task was to analyse the teams and coaches at the World Cup in France.
Soon after and following the departure of boss Glen Hoddle, he was asked to assist Howard Wilkinson with the senior squad against world champions France. When Kevin Keegan became manager Reed was asked to take the reigns as his assistant. He continued in this role, doubling up as FA Director of Technical Development until Sven Goran Eriksson was appointed. He was then given responsibility for the Under 21s.
During 2006 Reed accept a position as assistant head coach at Charlton. He took charge following the departure Iain Dowie but resigned on Christmas Eve 2006 and went on to work with Lawrie Sanchez coaching Northern Ireland.
He has also mentored some high profile names in coaching including Alan Curbishley, Stuart Pearce, Gianluca Vialli, Sammy Lee, and Mark Hughes and was the original designer of the current UEFA pro Licence.
Having coached at every level of the game; both nationally and internationally including 13 years at the FA, Reed has acquired a depth of knowledge and experience as a coach of players and educator of coaches and is still the only person to have coached England at every age group having been Head Coach for over 100 international matches.
Reed takes up his Maccabiah coaching role with immediate effect having met with the management team last week. He will meet the players on the first day of their six week preparation period on May 17.
Commenting on the appointment, team manager Jonathan Kestenbaum said: “For our players to work with one of world football’s most respected coaches is a rare privilege. There is a real buzz in the squad and the first session cannot come soon enough.
Les Reed commented: “Having met Jonathan Kestenbaum and Ben Winston on a number of occasions in recent weeks, I was deeply impressed by their passion, preparation and ambition. The tournament clearly means a great deal to them and their enthusiasm is contagious. I am greatly looking forward to working with the players and of course going to the tournament in Israel. The Maccabiah is clearly a special experience and I am delighted to be a part of it.”