England Under 16s Coaching Staff Profiles

Profiles
John McDermott
England Under-16s Head Coach

John McDermott was born in Leeds in 1967 and grew up as a Leeds United fan with Eddie Gray his favourite player.

In 1991 he joined Watford under Steve Perryman, working with Ken Jackett and Stuart Murdoch who he credits as having a huge influence on him as a young coach.

At Watford he gained a wide apprenticeship, becoming involved in every aspect of professional football. Four years later he was offered a job at The FA working in coach education and then as the National Football Development Officer primarily responsible for Mini Soccer.

In 1999 he returned to Watford to take up the position of Academy Director, which enabled him to work with and develop young elite players under Graham Taylor and then Gianluca Vialli.

In May last year John rejoined The FA to become one of a new batch of National Coaches, initially involved with the 1986 year group. Working with assistant coach Nigel Pearson putting the foundation work in place for the 1987 year group's first introduction to international football. John continues his work this season with the Under-16s with John Allpress by his side.

John Allpress
England Under-16 Assistant Coach