Jobs4football Meets: Ionut-Cosmin Costea
To build a name for oneself in the highly competitive world of football, more than simply understanding of the game is required. It takes a passion that can feed the desire to keep learning and improving. Ionut-Cosmin Costea, whose adventure began in the gorgeous terrains of Romania, is one such stalwart of the game who has been creating waves in the football world with his excellent coaching skills. Our interview with him shed light not just on his path, but also on his unrelenting passion to developing football’s future stars.
Ionut was deeply influenced by his mentor in Romania, which fueled his resolve to dive into the realm of coaching. “That time I had very positive feedback from them and that made me understand and see clearly where I was going and where I wanted to be. That led me to take a decision of what I wanted to do for the rest of my life … Coaching!!!” he reminisces. His tenure at the UNEFS Bucharest Sport University was pivotal, wherein he was mentored by seasoned coaches like Palade Tudor and Daniel Popa, which laid the solid foundation of his coaching journey.
His move to England, the birthplace of football, was driven by an insatiable thirst for learning from the crème de la crème of football coaching. Despite the challenges posed by language barriers and the distance from home, his indomitable spirit saw him through. “All I had to do was to be motivated, flexible, and open to anything in order to develop myself,” he shares.
Ionut’s academic accolades are as impressive as his on-field endeavours. With a UEFA B Licence and a degree in Football Coaching and Management from UCFB, his coaching methodologies have evolved substantially. “UEFA B was also considered a big achievement for me, it led me to a better level and style of coaching, developing my knowledge about tactics and strategies. It changed my vision completely in my coaching style,” Ionut affirms.
His meticulous attention to the evaluation and training of athletes is well acknowledged. Ionut believes in nurturing a strong bond among team members, which, he says, is instrumental in improving their performances on the field. “I support them psychologically and make them work as a team by creating connection and a strong bond between them, implementing personalized training programs to address any weaknesses or flaws,” he explains.
His time at the Chelsea FC Development Centre stands testimony to his adeptness at nurturing young talent, a young introverted player under his wing saw a significant transformation in a year, something Ionut takes immense pride in. “One of the stories that I am proud of is about a young player who joined us. He was an introvert and was unable to bond with the rest of the group. He was physically underdeveloped, lacked confidence and football ability in the beginning. After a year of close interaction and coaching this young player, I was immensely proud of his achievements. By the end of the year, he had grown in all aspects of his development. It was a tremendous privilege to see this player achieve so much in just one year of coaching. I can say that I have great hopes for his future career.”
With a progressive career graph from intern roles at prestigious clubs like Arsenal to the head coaching position at Maccabi London FC, his experiences have prepared him well for his current role. “All this experience which I have accumulated at Arsenal Football Club, helped me putting my knowledge into practice and truly prepared me for the Head Coach Role,” he notes.
His visit to Atletico Madrid was a pivotal chapter in his coaching journey, gaining invaluable insights from the football giants. His interaction with Cesc Fabregas, the U19 manager at Atletico, provided him with key takeaways that he’s keen to implement in his coaching style. “Atletico Madrid was truly an unforgettable experience. It was a programme for development for the coaches, where I have accumulated lots of important information from one of the biggest Football Clubs in the world. I spent 10 days there, where each day was filled with activities, such as the Scouting Department, Psychological Department and Coaching Sessions. At the coaching sessions, we have been following all the groups from Academy and Pre Academy, where we had the privilege of talking to every coach about the sessions and discussing their player’s development programs and their strategic plans.” he remembers.
With an eye on the future, he’s committed to continuous learning and aims to garner more experience at the highest level of coaching. Inspired by the words of his idol Cosmin Olaroiu, “Continue to develop yourself and be prepared for the moment when the opportunity will come”, he envisions himself managing a team in one of the world’s premier leagues.”
Ionut’s path from the benches of Bucharest to the crowded football arenas of the United Kingdom demonstrates his unwavering quest of coaching greatness. His narrative serves as a motivation for aspiring coaches, as well as a promise of a bright future for the young athletes under his care.