Few journeys capture the spirit of adventure and ambition quite like Jobs4football member Ronan McCarthy’s. From working in a Category 1 academy in the UK to becoming first-team goalkeeping coach with Cambodian champions Svay Rieng, his move was sparked by a Jobs4Football recruitment process and a single call that changed everything. After speaking with head coach Matt McConkey and hearing the club’s vision from GM Chris Grant, Ronan realised this was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.
In this Jobs4Football Meets feature, he reflects on landing in Phnom Penh with limited knowledge of Cambodia, settling into a club with a deep blend of local and foreign staff, and building a goalkeeping department around hard work, dialogue and tailored support. He also shares insight into Svay Rieng’s domestic and AFC ambitions, and what it means to represent Cambodian football on the continental stage. Enjoy
Q: Can you take us back to the opportunity how did the move to become goalkeeping coach at Svay Rieng first come about, and what was the process from initial contact to signing the contract with the Cambodian League champions?
A: In Early summer last year, I was working at a Cat 1 Academy in the UK when Nick Mccreery from
jobs4football contacted me, letting me know a role as first team goalkeeper coach had come up in Cambodia. I let Nick know that it was something that I’d be interested in finding out more about, a week later after my CV had been passed onto Svay Rieng, I was asked if I’d get on a call for me to find out more about the club and the area. Having spoken to the Manager of the club Matt McConkey, I quickly realised it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
Q: Before accepting the role, what did you know about Cambodian football or Cambodia in general and what were your first thoughts as you landed at Phnom Penh airport to begin your new adventure?
A: I can’t say I knew much about Cambodia or football in Cambodia before the role came up. During the interview process I able to see images of the clubs impressive training ground here in Phnom Penh, this along with the clubs ambitious long-term plans laid out by GM Chris Grant, eased any doubts for me. Landing at the airport, Phnom Penh was exactly what I taught it would be, the weather was hot but also rainy in the middle of the wet season. The streets and roads very busy and crowed, but the people very friendly.
Q:Tell us about your first impressions of the club, from the surroundings and staff to the facilities. How did Svay Rieng compare to your previous experiences in football?
A: We are very lucky with the Svay Rieng training facilities, we are located just on the outskirts of the city. The facility not only caters for the first team but also accommodates and houses some of the club’s academy age groups full time as well.
The first team has 2 full size training pitches, our main building for first team staff includes offices, meeting rooms, eating area, players dressing room and gym. We are currently in the process of expanded as well.
In comparison to other environments, the thing that stood out straight away is the number of full-time staff we have. we have a full-time medical department, analysis department, technical and coaching staff as well as many other support staff. It’s a real mix of local and foreign staff working well together. Some of the professional clubs back in Ireland/UK don’t have what we have. With the owner’s investment and ambition, we can be both competitive now and going forward.
Q:What has it been like working within the club so far, describe the culture and environment, both on the pitch and behind the scenes, and how quickly did you settle into the group?
A: I’ve really enjoyed my first few months in the job, the staff here are quite young, at the early stages of our journeys in football but all ambitious. We have experienced heads of departments who have worked not only in Cambodia but all over the world.
We have some of the best local staff onboard in all our departments as well, many of them ex-players for Svay Rieng. Their experience in Cambodia football in important.
Everyone has been very helpful and welcoming. Even before I arrived, I had the manager and the GM helping me with flight, hotels, pick up at airport etc…
Then when I arrived, they assisted with every from helping with the visas, the apartment, banking and sim cards. Moving to a new country can be stressful, but it the support from the club has been amazing.
Q: Focusing on the goalkeeping department specifically, what were your main priorities to implement from Day One, and how have your ideas or methods been received by the players and coaching staff?
A: The last few years I have been lucky enough to be around first team goalkeeper environments in the UK and Ireland, observing from some of the best goalkeeper coaches with top goalkeepers. I knew this was the next step for me. Taking bits from all these coaches over the years really helped me, not only with the understanding of the position, but also with day-to-day roles and reasonability’s.
On the pitch, I’m fortunate at Svay Rieng to work with 4 good goalkeepers, all of different ages and stages of their careers. From day one, I’ve been impressed by their work ethic .As a coach, I have my ideas, how I like to train but also, and especially when working with older goalkeepers, I also need to work with the goalkeepers themselves being open to their ideas and seeing what they fell they need in the sessions.
Q: As a club, what are the short- and long-term ambitions—domestically and in continental competition and how is the daily work in training shaped by those objectives?
A: Our goals at svay rieng are clear in the short term, to allow us to compete in both the shopee cup and in afc competitions we have to be successful in the Cambodian premier league. For the past number of years svay rieng has been leading the way for Cambodia in these continental competitions. the aim is to continue this and to progress into afc champions league 2. THIS IS OUR MOTIVATION AND We know this wont be achieved without hard work BEING PUT IN FROM players and staff AT THE TRAINING GROUND EVERYDAY.
Q: The AFC Cup has given Svay Rieng a chance to test themselves on the continental stage. What have those experiences meant for the club and for you personally, in terms of learning, pressure, and exposure?
A: For the club, not only does it show the progress made so far, but the success allows the club to attract not only new players but also new supporters as well. The clubs profile in south east Asia has grown so much. For me personally, as a coach I get to see up close some of the best sides in south east asia, and importantly getting to see the standard of goalkeeping in the region up close. Off the pitch, being able to visit new countries and experience new cultures is a great life experience.
Thank you, Ronan, for giving us a detailed look into life on and off the pitch in Cambodia’s top flight, and for highlighting how open-mindedness and the right support can turn a brave move into a career-defining experience. Your story underlines exactly why we believe in connecting coaches with global opportunities, and we look forward to following your continued impact with Svay Rieng in the league and across Asia.
