Jobs4Football meets Josh Rutherford
Jobs4Football spoke to the Head coach for Gateshead college, Josh Rutherford, who has recently joined our mentoring scheme at Jobs4Football.
Josh has an impressive number of achievements in coaching under his belt, Josh’s coaching career has vastly expanded since being named the FA Community Coach of the Year in 2014. Rutherford has been rewarded for his talent in coaching Powerchair football, Futsal, and Disabled football; he also gained his UEFA B Licence at the end of 2021.
“I’ve been coaching 13 years, and have gained the qualifications necessary which puts me in a good position in relation to a full time coaching role. Where I am based in the Northeast, the opportunities are limited however through the guidance I have received from Nick at Jobs4Football, this doesn’t limit me from finding the right opportunity which I am open to relocate for. ”
From a young age Josh was introduced into football through his dad, who ran a local football team in Northumberland. Josh has supported Sunderland since he was a youngster and fondly remembers Peter Reid’s Sunderland team whom had a spectacular run in the Premier League 1999-2000 season as well as the 2000-01 season, finishing in seventh respectively.
“I absolutely love football, watch it, coach it, played it. I was playing till I was 16 and then I thought, the natural progression would be into coaching. When I started coaching, I found it extremely rewarding, especially when things that we worked on on the training ground came off in a match situation, watching one of my players score or see a move work that we learnt in training. That’s what I come to football for to be rewarded, whether that’s 3 points on a Saturday or seeing a child score his first goal, it’s brilliant.”
Rutherford has vast experience of the game from both on and off the pitch, but I wanted to hear his opinion on what separates him from other coaches. “I’ve got a love for the game, a big passion to develop players, to improve their performances as an individual and as a collective. I pay close attention to the analytics of a game and I am committed 100% to football.”
Josh has recently joined Jobs4Football’s mentoring scheme which helps people who are looking to progress their footballing career by giving access to experienced football recruitment specialists who assist in achieving career goals and developing career pathways. The program helps players, coaches and football staff at any level improve their online/offline visibility by creating CV’s, cover letters as well as online profiles to help raise their own profile to a worldwide audience. “So far, Nick has been brilliant in helping me with my career direction, restructuring my CV and making me viewed online. Hopefully someone will give me the opportunity and take a chance as I know I wouldn’t let them down.”
Being from Northern Ireland, I was able to relate to Josh as there wasn’t many opportunities for me back home, so I had to move to pursue a career in my line of work. I was intrigued on Josh’s plan for the future and if he had anywhere in mind.
“I am willing to take any opportunity whether that be in England or abroad, I want that breakthrough. You work tirelessly hard to get the qualifications, it’s even harder to get that full time job. I feel I’m ready, I’ve done my learning whether that’s been volunteering, college football, I have won the league with a side that didn’t win a point last season. I’ve been working with some top coaches through CPD events with the likes of Gareth Southgate, Franco Baresi, Michael O Neil, Chris Coleman. I had my own coaching setup in Northumberland called Tiny Woods Academy and had some ex-pros come along and support the kids, so I have had the feeling of working in an experienced environment.”
Every person involved in the sport of Football has dreams and aspirations of who they want to play for, coach for or represent in their career. Rutherford is no different and is keen on following his childhood dream. “There are two clubs that are close to my heart and that’s Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday, because Sunderland is my dad and I’s team, and my mam’s side of the family come from Sheffield.
Rutherford is a focused individual who only seeks for improvement, and has showcased his coaching ability numerous times in various football leagues. As a Coach, motivation is a key aspect of life and the passion that a coach must give is vital for a team to win.
I was eager to know Josh’s techniques on how he stays motivated or who he idolises. “My main idol is Pep Guardiola how he constantly wants to win games of football and the way he uses his players it’s fascinating. Brendan Rogers, also reminds me of myself, working in a retail job then got his lucky break and he has never looked back. I feel like I have been in his shoes in a way, I always remember his interview where he said ‘I was working in a warehouse now I’m managing one of the biggest clubs in England’ and that really inspires me.”
Rutherford has the entirety of the mentoring scheme ahead of him, thus I wanted Josh to voice what he wants to achieve from the program. “What I want is a full-time job in football and the network and contacts that Jobs4Football have is certainly going to be beneficial to me. Already with advice from Nick, I have created an account on LinkedIn and have connected with 500 football related people in 2 weeks, expanding my network, and this is just the start!”
Josh has aspirations to be coaching academy and 1st team football within the next 5 years, and through his own undoubted coaching ability and the assistance, Josh will receive the help he needs through the mentoring scheme we feel positive he will make that next step.
From us here at Jobs4Football, we wish Josh the best on his journey!
Should you be interested in the Jobs4Football Mentoring Scheme, please find our link below.
https://jobs4football.com/product/football-career-mentor-package-1-month/