SUPER COOPER

HENRY CLARK EXAMINES THE PATH TAKEN BY SWANSEA CITY’S IMPRESSIVE MANAGER STEVE COOPER

- HENRY CLARK

THE last few years have seen former greats of the game in Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney all make the transition into management following glittering careers on the pitch.

But not all coaches are made having played at the highest level. Some, such as Swansea boss Steve Cooper, who spent his playing days as a defender in the Welsh leagues with the likes of Bangor City, come from a completely different background.

Some see coming into management with a lesser-known reputation as beneficial, with less expectation to hit the heights.

But for those like Pontypridd-born Cooper who are chasing a chance at the top level of the game, it often means a great deal of sacrifice lower down the footballing pyramid.

While Lampard, Gerrard and Rooney may have been focused on straining every sinew out of their ability in the peak of their careers, the 41-year-old was always one with an eye on the future.

He combined his playing commitments with coaching at the Wrexham academy and subsequently became one of the youngest ever managers to get their UEFA Pro Licence, aged just 27.

A job in the Liverpool academy followed where Cooper worked with the likes of future England internationals Raheem Sterling and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Particularly telling was the Welshman’s interview following a 4-1 aggregate defeat to Chelsea in the 2012-13 FA Youth Cup semi-final.

In stark contrast to most managers, Cooper maintained his pride that, even in defeat, his side had stuck to the principles he had instilled in them.

He told the Liverpool Echo: “It was quite important that even though we were losing 2-0, the idea was to still play our way and maybe take a few more risks and press and get a few people higher up the pitch.”