'Young coaches inspired' by 30-year-old Hearts boss
- Published
Think top-flight football coach and you probably picture a middle-aged man running around in an ill-fitting tracksuit.
But Ian Cathro is not one of those men.
He's the new head coach at Hearts and he's only 30. That makes him the youngest boss in the top flight of both English and Scottish football.
Not bad for someone who has never played the game professionally and in getting the top job, he he's become a shining example to young coaches.
Coaches like David Baird, who works in the academy at Hearts.
David has chosen coaching as a career - he's spent the past 10 years doing it, working in the US and Dubai along the way.
David, 28, currently looks after nine and 10-year-olds at the Scottish Premiership club.
"It's a very forward-thinking move to bring in a very young and knowledgeable coach."
"As someone who is 28 years old, to see someone who is 30 as the first team manager gives you so much belief," says David.
"I've got aspirations to go as far as I can in the game and if someone like Ian Cathro's done it without any playing experience, then why can't I?"
Like David, Ian Cathro was drawn to coaching at an early age.
By 23, he was looking after youth players at Dundee and then landed assistant manager roles in Portugal and then at Valencia in Spain.
He's most recently been working with Rafa Benitez at Newcastle United.
"He's worked with some really big names, no wonder his rise to the top has been so quick," says David.
But not everyone is happy with the appointment.
Watch Kris Boyd speak to Joey Barton., external
For some, it would seem, not playing the game to any significant level is still a stumbling block.
The new Hearts boss has been criticised by some former players, who believe he lacks the personality to inspire individuals.
The former Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd, who attended coaching courses with Ian Cathro, made a remark about his use of a laptop to store coaching drills.
But David argues Cathro must be doing something right to have landed a three-and-a-half-year contract.
"Whatever methods he is using, laptop or no laptop, it's obviously impressing a lot of people," he says.
"He's worked with some very big players at Valencia and Newcastle, and from a personal point of view I met Ian briefly the other night and within minutes I was inspired.
"His appointment has certainly made me more ambitious and I'm delighted to be working underneath someone like him."
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