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An interview with football coach-training veteran John Peacock : Passing on football knowledge out of love and sense of duty

27/03/2019

The HKJC Pass It On - District Elite Coach Education Workshop has entered its second year. Its principal speaker and Consultant of Manchester United Academy, John Peacock, is a renowned coach-training veteran and one of the few experts qualified to teach the UEFA Pro Licence. He was also the mastermind behind England’s trophy at the UEFA European Under-17 Championships in 2010 and 2014, and teacher of elite coaches, including England’s current Football Manager, Gareth Southgate. Inducted into England’s Football Association’s Hall of Fame in 2015, Peacock is no doubt a recognised leading authority in the world of football.

  • John (2nd left) has come to Hong Kong as a principal speaker for the HKJC Pass It On - District Elite Coach Education Workshop in the past two years.
    John (2nd left) has come to Hong Kong as a principal speaker for the HKJC Pass It On - District Elite Coach Education Workshop in the past two years.

Leaving footprints in one-third of the world’s countries

Peacock’s glamourous resume and achievements have only made him humbler. Those who have worked with Peacock opined that he is “low-profile but highly respected”. Now in his 60s, Peacock is devoted to training coaches in different countries over the past few years: “I think I am away from home for about half of the year. My App shows that I have been to 32% of the countries”. What motivates him to be on the run every day, shuttling between pitches and hotels whilst adapting to different time zones? The 63-year-old said it is out of love and duty.

As the saying goes: “Traveling a thousand miles beats reading a thousand books”. On the basis that Peacock travels 100,000 miles a year, he would be a mobile library filled with books of his comprehensive knowledge and philosophy on life – books which people would never get tired of reading. To him, it is his duty to pass on his expertise.

  • Peacock is devoted to training coaches in different countries over the past few years.
    Peacock is devoted to training coaches in different countries over the past few years.
  • John hopes to pass on my knowledge to people around the world.
    John hopes to pass on my knowledge to people around the world.

Sharing his expertise around the world

What is it about the magic of a small football that can inspire the love of millions of people in this large world? Peacock, who has left his footprints on six continents, believes that despite the differences in customs, practices and culture, every single football player and coach shares the same passion for football and is thirsty to learn more about it. By the same token, he is passionate about bringing his expertise to every corner of the world. It seems that his journey of passing on football knowledge is long and never-ending; yet to this, he simply said: “Yes, but I hope to pass on my knowledge to people around the world when I am still fit enough to do so!”

Fortunately, he is not alone: “I’m glad that we still have many people who are passionate about sports. The Manchester United Club is special; The Hong Kong Jockey Club is special, and the HKFA is special – the partnership between them creates many great programmes and activities to promote sports.” So what does Peacock see as being the crucial quality of a coach – is it tactics or to know the team well? He believes it is about management of people and their relationships: “As a coach, you do not just communicate with your players; you also manage other staff. You have to put the right person in the right place and allow them to work on what they are good at.

45 years into his football career, Peacock admits there have been lows, but he has never thought of quitting: “Maybe it’s the love of football. Sport is about trial and error, you have to think about what can be done better each time.” Ultimately, he led his team to victory in two UEFA European Football Championships; was inducted into the England Football Association’s Hall of Fame, and brought England its first FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Striving for excellence

One’s development in football can be described as a ball either rolling or at rest on the pitch: you either get phased out, or you keep learning and grasping the latest news and demographics. Although he is now on top of the game, Peacock still keeps learning to refine his teaching approach: “I watch the games and drop what I have seen in my notebook.” He also studies and summarises different reports and analyses from England’s Football Association to continuously improve himself.

  • John spent some time in Aberdeen to taste the local culture of Hong Kong.
    John spent some time in Aberdeen to taste the local culture of Hong Kong.
  • Although he is now on top of the game, John still keeps learning to refine his teaching approach.
    Although he is now on top of the game, John still keeps learning to refine his teaching approach.

Teaching by example is always more effective, and Peacock is a living example of the saying with his depth of concepts and knowledge, his humility and his thirst for knowledge.

The second HKJC Pass It On - District Elite Coach Education Workshop will hold its final workshop in April. Will the local coaches make new achievements? What is Peacock’s view on football development in Hong Kong? Stay tuned for our next story!

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