Nick Chadwick’s Road To Success
Episode description
In this very special edition of Leader Manager Coach, Rob travels to the heart of the professional environment to talk to Wigan Athletic's Under-23 coach, Nick Chadwick, a former professional player who played in every English division.
Nick talks about his role at the club, how his past experiences have shaped him, and how he uses the wisdom of former mentors to shape future generations of players.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Nick came through the Everton academy and made it to the first team almost immediately, working under managers such as Walter Smith and David Moyes. From here he passed through numerous teams building experience under the guidance of teams such as Plymouth Argyle, Hereford and Shrewsbury in several different divisions.
- Nick was fortunate in his career. The managers he has worked for have all been complete professionals, and have instilled high standards in him, from Walter Smith's gentlemanly conduct to David Moyes' stern approach which instilled deep respect and an eagerness to please.
- Clearly definite roles in a team are crucial, according to Nick. Instilling respect and discipline in a player is vital in order to build a successfully functioning team. If you're asked to do a job, then you go out and do it. Nick expects that of the young players he is currently training.
- Adhering to the orders and leadership of coaches and managers has led to self-belief that has led to Nick's decision to enter the world of coaching himself. Leadership leads to leadership in the right person.
- Nick lived through a period of doubt and apprehension when his playing career came to an end, even wondering if football was the be-all and end-all of life. But after careful thought, he decided that his many experiences, and the wealth of information and advice he'd accumulated, were of best use to future generations of players.
- People often ask how to get into football - You need to go out and do some hours. You need to put the time in at all levels.
- Part of your growth not just as a coach, but as a human being, is to put yourself into situations, and to give yourself challenges, that may sometimes be uncomfortable, that may be hard.
- You need to follow you own instincts, and not let anyone put you off your dreams - People told Nick he'd never make it, and six months later he was making his debut.
- The pressure put on young players these days is terribly difficult, especially for those who do make it. Winning a contract is only the start of a player's efforts sometimes. Be prepared to work hard and take advice.
- Having a football career is all about evolving. It's about absorbing wisdom, learning from it, inspiring others and ensuring that you act in a professional manner.
- Most of Nick's job is in constantly trying to sense the achievements his sessions are having. It is about reading the team and the individuals to assess their needs, to recognise which methods are working, which methods are not, and to provide the best training he can possibly manage. The best coaches are coaches who do not coach for themselves.
BEST MOMENTS
‘It's not easy to stay in the game. I experienced many highs and lows, but I played in every division and scored in every division'
‘The best coaches treated us players as men and expected that in return'
‘I wanted to be in the team and to be in the team, I had to be successful in the roles managers had given me'
‘If you're asked to perform a job, you do it'
‘Sometimes it's a case of dusting yourself down and going back for more'
‘No one was knocking on my door offering me lucrative coaching jobs'
‘The kids had me up on FIFA laughing about how bad a player I was there!'
‘To progress, you have to put yourself into situations that are sometimes uncomfortable'
‘I always try and offer guidance to young players. That's what we're here to do'
‘This is a highly professional industry'
‘It's up to the young players to raise themselves to my level. It's not my job to lower my expectations to theirs'
‘Time is nothing but a guide. You have to have a feel for how the sessions are going'
‘I like nothing better than to be tactically challenged'
VALUABLE RESOURCES
ABOUT THE GUEST
Nick is a former professional footballer. He has played and scored in every professional division in England. He played in The Premier League as a youngster with Everton before moving on to become an integral part of other teams that included two spells at Plymouth Argyle.
Nick started his coach education early and already has a significant amount of coaching experience. He played under a list of successful managers including Walter Smith, David Moyes, Tony Pulis and Ian Holloway.
Nick is currently the under 23 coach at Wigan Athletic.
ABOUT THE HOST
Rob Ryles is a UEFA A licensed coach with a League Managers Association qualification and a science and medicine background. He has worked in the football industry in Europe, USA and Africa; at International, Premiership, League, Non-League and grassroots levels with both World Cup and European Championship experience.
Rob Ryles prides himself on having a forward thinking and progressive approach to the game built through his own experience as well as lessons learned from a number of highly successful managers and coaches.
The Leader Manager Coach Podcast is where we take a deep dive examining knowledge, philosophies, wisdom and insight to help you lead, manage and coach in football, sport and life.
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