McCarthy: I am an Albion nerd

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Charlie Hanson

2025-01-21T06:00+00:00

Jason McCarthy.

Albion's new under-21 professional development coach Jason McCarthy will be on the touchline for the first time tomorrow as we take on Wealdstone in the National League Cup.

The former Wycombe defender called time on his playing career to take the role and is looking forward to his fresh start in Sussex.

Jason, what was the thinking behind finishing playing and taking up a coaching role here?

"I certainly wouldn't have done it for anything. I've become a little bit of a Brighton nerd. Since I've got the bug for coaching, my inspiration has been this club really.

"I've been very purposeful and very deliberate. But it was a very personal decision to come to the end of my playing career, it was a process and it wasn't an emotional decision taken overnight.

"It was probably a three year process where I felt like ultimately my contribution was stronger in the coaching area than playing.

What about this role in particular – working with our under-21s – appealed to you?

"There are many elements. I think the opportunity to be part of the development process – I see myself very much as a coach that likes to develop. I want to get into the really fine details with the players and the team. I know the processes of the club massively focus on that.

"Also the club are really, really passionate about the pathway. So that aligned with how I see the game. They are the best, in my opinion. So for the opportunity to be in that role and be able to contribute is something I couldn't turn down.

"After speaking to Shannon [Ruth] and Fabian [Hurzeler], the exposure to the first team they give to young players, it's something I just couldn't turn down – I know I am going to learn a huge amount."

Shannon and Fabian are in their early 30s, you’re only 29 – it’s a young person’s game now, isn’t it?

"That was another draw. When I came in I saw that there's a lot of energy, there's a lot of youth around the coaching staff. That appealed to me, and that made me feel like I could certainly bring my authentic self."

You’ve obviously been playing professionally until last month, so what have you done coaching wise?

"I've done as much as I possibly could have. I was spending one or two nights a week with the foundation at Wycombe, as the club didn't have an academy, although it's in the process of actually building an academy now. So I chucked myself into that.

"I was watching a lot of live football. I’ve had a lot of discussions, a lot of study visits at different clubs with different managers. I’ve been studying different styles, different ways of coaching.

"I’ve been getting back in contact with coaches that I have valued and have been influenced by in my career. It's been three years of real hard studying. I’ve tried to broaden my thinking and my education beyond just doing my coaching badges."

You’ll have your first game in the dugout with the under-21s on Tuesday evening against Wealdstone. How exciting is the prospect of that first experience as a coach on the sideline?

"Whenever I played, I always tried to talk a lot on the pitch. It's for other people to say, but I'd like to think I was a leader, and I'd like to think that I communicated well on the pitch.

"I'll be doing that through a different lens now and from a different position, but it's something I've found natural and is a reason as to why I'm now a coach.

"I'm passionate about coaching. So, it will be new. There will be lots of emotions. I'm fully looking forward to chucking myself into it."