01-20-2020, 07:44 AM
Earlier this year, 30-year-old Cardiff Under-21 head coach Kevin Nicholson became the youngest English coach with the UEFA Pro Licence. Adam Bate caught up with him to find out more… For some in football, turning 30 is a time to begin contemplating what might happen once the playing career is over. For Cardiffs Kevin Nicholson the milestone has a very different significance - hes already achieved the games gold standard coaching qualification.In May, the Bluebirds Under-21 boss completed the UEFA Pro Licence and is currently the youngest Englishman holding the qualification. The achievement marks the end of one particular journey but Nicholson is hoping these are just the early steps along a pathway that will take him to the top of the profession. My main ambition is to become the best coach I can be, he tells Sky Sports. I see myself as a coach who can work with players of all abilities and at all levels, so the goal is to coach at the highest level. All you can do is try to improve, gain credibility and improve your reputation. The goal is to coach at the highest level. Kevin Nicholson The Pro Licence certainly helps in that regard, particularly for someone whose own hopes of a professional career suffered a blow at an early age when released by Derby. But Nicholson has managed to turn that negative into a positive by becoming a coach as early as possible.Ive found it an advantage really, coming through at a young age, he says. I was a player at youth level and didnt quite make the grade as a professional. So I took the time to develop myself as a coach, get the qualifications and pick up valuable experience.Ive managed to do all that in the time when a professional player would still be playing the game. So I think for a young coach its a chance to get ahead and thats essential when youre competing against ex-players.But I think the most important thing with the qualifications is the knowledge that you gain and the experiences you get. Whether its the seminars or the sessions, youre taking stuff on board from some of the best coaches in the game. Sean Dyche, one of five top-flight English bosses, gave a talk to coaches As part of the inaugural intake for the FA Elite badge in 2013, Nicholson had the chance to engage with the likes of former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen and Premier League manager Sean Dyche. For the Pro Licence, ex-QPR boss Chris Ramsey gave a talk.But having been at Derby and Exeter prior to being headhunted by Cardiff in the summer of 2013, Nicholson is used to working alongside men of experience. You cant fail to take something from everyone you work with, he adds. All the managers have influenced me.Nigel Clough was a great influence when I was at Derby and I was there throughout his time at the club. From there I moved to Exeter and had a great opportunity to work with Paul Tisdale. He was a big inspiration for me. Youre only going to learn from these people.Even so, the move to Cardiff was a step up, particularly when Nicholson took on the role of first-team coach for a period in the 2014/15 season. Having begun by coaching an Under-11 side in the academy at Stoke, he found himself in charge of senior international players. He was a big inspiration for me. Kevin Nicholson on Exeter manager Paul Tisdale So whats it like when the players are older than the coach? A great challenge, he admits. The first thing you have to do is gain the respect of some big names and talented players. The way I try to do it is through my coaching and getting feedback on my sessions.Whats particularly striking about Nicholson is his attention to detail. Open to the possibility of a career in management, he has already examined all the aspects of the job that a prospective boss must master in the modern game.On the Pro Licence, we all had to deliver a final presentation on a study topic of our choice, he says. I focused on the first 90 days in management looking at how a manager should approach that time in order to make an impact and get the results that you need.You only have to look at the facts regarding how long managers last. That period is crucial and how you approach that can ultimately decide whether youre successful or not. Issues such as media relationships and managing upwards are now vital considerations. Life in Guam Fellow member of the inaugural FA Elite badge intake Gary White discusses his career abroad. I spoke to several very high profile managers when I was doing my study and most of them spoke about the importance of working well with the media, he adds. Its a big factor. They can play an important part in getting your message across.Its also noticeable that more clubs are looking to that continental-style structure now because there are just so many facets to the job. This allows the coach to coach and have someone else who is that link to the owner. Its a big job to manage an entire football club.Perhaps the big question is whether or not its a job that will ever come his way. While discussing the challenges facing young British players in his role as an Under-21 boss, Nicholson makes the point that talent needs opportunity but its equally true of coaches.Enjoying life at Cardiff, for now all that he can do is keep up the good work. If you do that you have to hope that the opportunities will arise, he says. Theres literally nobody better qualified to find out whether thats true than Kevin Nicholson. Also See: Gary White: Life in Guam Cardiff appoint Trollope Air Force 1 n7 . Dwyane Wade took over in the fourth quarter. Sf Air Force 1 Mid Nere .J. Mayo made seven three-pointers and scored 25 points, Ersan Ilyasova added 20, and the Milwaukee Bucks placed seven players in double figures in a 130-110 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers, who lost their 11th straight game on Monday night. http://www.airforce1outletitalia.it/scon...anche.html . According to Dave Stubbs of The Montreal Gazette, preliminary talks have begun between Markov - an unrestricted free agent this summer - and general manager Marc Bergevin. Nike Sf Air Force 1 Mid Nere .com) - Houston Texans interim head coach Wade Phillips confirmed Monday that starting quarterback Case Keenum sustained a sprained right thumb during Sundays 25-3 loss in Indianapolis. Air Force 1 Alte Flax . According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, it doesnt appear the offer was warmly received by the team. Blue Jackets director of hockey operations John Davidson and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said on Wednesday the team has made offers of $6 million for two years, $32 million for six and $46 million over eight years but each one was refused by the restricted free agent centre and agent Kurt Overhardt.BOSTON - It started with a torrent of hate. But P.K. Subban was feeling the love after the Canadiens disposed of the Boston Bruins. The charismatic Montreal defenceman, the target of racial abuse after his winning goal in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series, planted a kiss on broadcaster Pierre McGuire to wrap up their post-Game 7 interview Wednesday night. "Yeah baby," said a jubilant Subban after McGuire congratulated him for reaching the Eastern Conference final, which starts Saturday in Montreal against the New York Rangers. More than a few hockey fans may have fallen for the underdog Habs after their performance against the big bad Bruins. The Canadiens are hard-working, proud and tenacious. "Its definitely a special team and if we didnt know it before the playoffs, we definitely know it now," said forward Max Pacioretty, who bounced back from a slow start in the series. "I said when I got here, I just feel like this is a special team," echoed forward Dale Weise, acquired from the Canucks on Feb. 3. "I was on Vancouver the year after they went to the Cup final, we won the Presidents Trophy — theres something about this team thats just special. "Were real resilient. When our backs are against the wall (and) we need a big performance, our big players show up. And weve got so much depth. I really like our team." The Canadiens work ethic was eloquently voiced by coach Michel Therrien prior to Game 2, in words most saw as a prod at Thomas Vanek and other underachieving forwards. "One thing thats not negotiable with our team ... work ethic is not negotiable, attitude is not negotiable and competing is not negotiable," he said. "This is something we ask from every player on our hockey team. We have to make sure that everyone brings those elements to every single shift and every single game." Therrien was rightly proud Wednesday. "This is a great accomplishment from that group. We just beat the best team in the league. We were down 3-2 (in the series) and we showed a lot of character, a lot of passion. To be able to win the series here in Boston, its a tough place for teams to come and play here. Im really proud about the performance of our players." Carey Price was majestic in goal, with ice water in his veins.dddddddddddd. His rebound control was exceptional, he declined to bite on any of the Bruins forwards shake and bake, and he was there to clean up when a mess was left in front of him. He was unflappable. When the zombie apocalypse finally hits, those nearest Price will likely be thanking their lucky stars. The Habs star had plenty of help. Price faced 230 Bruins shots during the series with his team blocking another 146. Mike Weaver, all five foot 10 of him, stopped 20 of those. "A human wall," said Weise. But as Price and Therrien noted, the Boston series win will be yesterdays news come the Eastern final. Montreal faces another Original six rival in the Rangers, who are coming off an emotional win of their own over Pittsburgh. And having survived Vezina Trophy finalist Tuukka Rask with Boston, the Canadiens now face Rangers stopper Henrik Lundqvist who strapped the Rangers on his back in the elimination game against the Penguins. Price and Lundqvist met at the Olympic final in Sochi, where the outclassed and depleted Swedes were beaten 3-0. King Henrik has a 13-11-2 career record against the Canadiens and has struggled in Montreal where he is 4-5-2 with a 3.87 goals-against average and .876 save percentage. That may explain why backup Cam Talbot played the two games at Montreal this season. Lundqvist has not played at the Bell Centre since a 4-3 shootout victory in March 2009. His last regulation victory there was a 5-3 decision in February 2008. His career save percentage against the Habs is .897. Price, meanwhile, is 8-5-1 with five shutouts and a .934 save percentage against the Rangers. Montreal finished four points ahead of New York in the regular season. The Canadiens blanked New York 2-0 in the Rangers home opener on Oct. 28, lost 1-0 at the Bell Centre on Nov. 16 and edged the visiting Rangers 1-0 in overtime on the final weekend of the season. Its the first playoff meeting between the two since 1996 when the Rangers defeated Montreal 4-2 in the Eastern Conference quarter-final. It marks their 15th post-season meeting, with each team having won seven times. And its the third playoff series between the two since the 1979 Stanley Cup final, won four games to one by Montreal. ' ' '