Scott Parker: 'Players don't realise how hard coaching is'

Scott Parker casts his memory back to Lilleshall nearly 20 years ago and considers how much has changed.

Back then he was one of the most highly rated 15-year-olds in the country and remembers a young coach called John Peacock who took to sessions with energy and focus.

Parker lapped it up, and something must have worked, as he went on to win the Premier League with Chelsea and 18 caps for England.

Now 34, and approaching the autumn of his career, Parker is calling on Peacock again – perhaps greyer but no less vital – to help him start out again, this time as a coach.

Parker is studying at St. George’s Park for his UEFA Pro Licence – the qualification required to manage a side in the Champions League – and is taking to the process with the same vigour that marks him out as a player.

"John is a benchmark for the way things should be done. He took me through my A Licence and he has been fantastic to me," said the Fulham midfielder.

"Just to see him work in close quarters has been a real eye-opener for me and an invaluable experience.

John Peacock chats to Phil Neville, who is also studying for his UEFA Pro Licence

"He has obviously come a long way since I was at Lilleshall, just like I have, and developed tenfold as a coach, but the principles of what he is doing to develop in young players remain the same."

Peacock can back up Parker’s claims with achievements: last year the Yorkshireman led England U17s to the European Championship title, his second in four years, and as a leading coach educator, he is currently guiding Gary and Phil Neville, Brad Freidel and Portsmouth boss Andy Awford through qualification.

All have had distinguished playing careers, but coaching poses a new challenge.

Parker said: "I used to think ‘no it’s fine – I’ve played the game and I know what it is about. I know how to tell other people where to stand’, but it is not until you start learning that you realise how difficult it is and there is an art to it.

"It is totally different to playing, and that is why I am here.

"As a player you go out on the training field and don’t think about the planning that has gone into it. You don’t worry about the facilities and what it takes to get everything in place."

Parker knows that now: but his first coaching session came as something as a shock.

"I’ve got four sons and one of them is a 12-year-old who plays for his local team, Leatherhead Youth. I often used to help out there with their training sessions.

"A grassroots team is probably the best place to start because from there you see it all.

"I remember getting a little bit frustrated: They were 12-year-old boys, full of energy and you’re conscious of voice tones.

"That was the hardest thing: I thought I’d just put some cones out and tell them what to do and they would do it.

"They did, to be fair, but a couple of them are talking to each other, looking over at the trees.

"And it being my son’s team, the last thing I wanted to do was for the lads to go home to their parents and say ‘he was really horrible to me’.

"Dealing with kids, the way you adapt your coaching style is paramount."

Scott Parker with England manager Roy Hodgson in 2012

Whether Parker focuses on becoming a manager, or developing younger players, he admits to having thought about a career in coaching for some time.

"I have always been quite dominant in teams, so it was always part of my personality to put forward ideas," he said.

"Early on in my career certainly I want to get as much experience as I can, because however many games I have played nothing prepares you for coaching."

And despite being among the younger delegates at St. George’s Park, Parker recognises that coaching is among the few professions where anyone under 50 is considered young.

'I worry we aren’t developing characters and to develop a top player I think character is important'

"It’s has been early to be where I am. It puts me in a good position and it gives me the most amount of time. As a player I wanted to be the best I can be and this is no different," he added.

"That’s why I want to get my coaching qualifications early and spend as much time with people as I can and really learn my trade. Whether that be going away with John, or with [England U18s head coach] Neil Dewsnip and gaining experience, that can only put me in good stead."

Just as importantly, Parker feels English football needs good coaches to bring out the best in young players, just as Peacock has been for decades.

"My generation was not at technical at times but we had a lot of character," he said.

"Today we are producing much more technical players - what my sons can do I could never have done at my age – but there is a balance there to be had.

"I just worry that we aren’t developing the character and ultimately to develop a top player, I think character is the most important."

Parker hopes that, one day, he can help give players the same grounding he received at Lilleshall all those years ago.