Coach Lee Back Down to Earth - Ipswich Town News
Alan Lee has revealed how his fledgling coaching career got off to the best possible start before reality quickly set in.
Lee, doubling as an academy coach and member of manager Mick McCarthy’s senior squad, said: "I passed my first [coaching] assessment with flying colours and because I had not done a lot of coaching in the past, my examiner said I was a natural.
"I thought ‘I’ve cracked it, I’m a great coach’ so I volunteered to do the next assessment on the course and by the time I was halfway through it I could not even remember my own name. I realised there was so much to learn.
"But it’s the same for any player or coach. The day you stop learning is when you go wrong. I want a career in coaching and possibly management but that’s a long way into the future.
"There’s so much more to it, like the extra hours of preparation and realising that lads chatting when you are talking IS really annoying. I was one of them when I was younger. I was never trouble but I can see now that if the players are not enthusiastic about what you are doing it can be a problem.
"I realise I need a lot of experience to be a good coach. I want to be the best coach I can be before I think of anything else, like being a manager in the future. At the moment I’m still hoping to get a run-out as a player.
"My 19 or 20 years’ playing experience helps but there are a whole different range of skills that you have to learn and master as a coach.”
What to read next:
On-Loan Slicker Saves Two PenaltiesTown keeper Cieran Slicker saved two penalties to help his loan side Barnet to a 2-1 victory away against Crewe Alexandra in League Two this afternoon.
U18s Hammered at PalaceTown’s U18s fell to an 8-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at the Eagles’ Copers Cope training ground this morning.
Sheehan: An Exciting OccasionIpswich Town Women play their first game at their new home, Colchester United’s Jobserve Community Stadium, on Sunday afternoon when Nottingham Forest visit in WSL2 (KO 2pm).
Peake: We'll Learn QuicklyWhen Ipswich Town Women make their eagerly anticipated first WSL2 appearance at the JobServe Community Stadium in Colchester on Sunday, defender Paige Peake will be making her second home debut for the club having rejoined after three years away playing for Southampton.
Selles: We Fell ApartSheffield United boss Ruben Selles admitted his side fell apart after Town’s second goal during last night’s 5-0 hammering at Portman Road.
McKenna: A Good Night But Still a Lot to Work OnBoss Kieran McKenna hailed Town’s 5-0 hammering of Sheffield United as a good night for the players and supporters and believes it was an important victory, but says there’s a lot still to work on.
Philogene: A Special Performance For MeTown winger Jaden Philogene hailed a special performance as he struck his first senior hat-trick in the Blues’ 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United at Portman Road.
Ipswich Town 5-0 Sheffield United - Match ReportJaden Philogene hit a hat-trick as Town ended their long wait for a home league win by thrashing Sheffield United 5-0 at Portman Road. Philogene opened the scoring in the 20th minute, then added an even better second on 51, before George Hirst made the most of dreadful defending to net the third in the 61st minute. Philogene completed his treble with his best of the night seven minutes later, before Jack Clarke completed a great night for Town, whose last home league win was against Chelsea on December 30th, on 78.