Barry Simmonds
 |
| Managerial career | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Years | Team | ||
| 2006–2007 | New Zealand Knights | ||
Barry Simmonds is an English professional football coach, director
and former player. As a coach he managed New Zealand Knights in the Australian A-League prior to its licence being transferred to new ownership and renamed Wellington Phoenix.[1] He was the Football Director and on the Executive Board at Norwich City for the Premier League promotion winning 2014–2015 season. He was appointed having held a similar post at Fulham over several years.
In 2017 he rejoined Crystal Palace FC. Simmonds had been engaged in previous roles at the London-based Premier League club.[2]
Biography
[edit]In his award-winning book The Nowhere Men author Michael Calvin credited Simmonds with being a leading figure at the forefront of modern football club structure through the combined use of sports science, statistical analysis and traditional practice. He has the distinction of having worked with coaches who number amongst those to have managed the most games in the Premier League.
Simmonds has cited the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team off-field operating methodology and American statistician Bill James as influences. Revered for his work in Major League Baseball James highlighted how undervalued players could be recruited which Simmonds saw parallels with in professional football.[3]
His time at Fulham FC was highlighted with signings of players at the latter stages of their careers but who proved significant acquisitions. Several featured in delivering Fulham’s highest ever league finish and taking the club to the inaugural UEFA Europa League Final. This included - amongst numerous others - vastly experienced international players Mark Schwarzer, Zoltan Gera and Damien Duff. This continued when Dimitar Berbatov and Giorgos Karagounis joined in 2012. In the case of Karagounis the captain of Greece and European Championship winner was persuaded by Simmonds to delay his retirement. It proved an inspired move for the then 36 year old midfielder as he was voted player’s ‘Player of the Season’ whilst Berbatov won the supporters award.
There were instances of younger players recruited who went on to be transferred. Mousse Dembele and Chris Smalling secured moves to Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United respectively.
A squad overhaul and retention of key players at Norwich City FC following its relegation in 2014 led to an immediate return to the Premier League with Cameron Jerome and Gary O’Neil in particular proving astute signings. It was the second time Simmonds had an impact on a promotion from the EFL Championship as the 2004 Play-Off final winners, Crystal Palace, contained several players from his tenure as recruitment chief at Selhurst Park.
Following on from Norwich City it was reported in the British media that he had been contracted by The Football Association to work as a member of England manager Roy Hodgson's staff for the national team's preparation and final tournament of the 2016 UEFA European Championship.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Nevin sacked by Knights". theworldgame.sbs.com.au. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
- ^ "Barry Simonds discusses new role". www.canaries.co.uk. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
- ^ Herbert, Ian (3 August 2013). "Why football stars owe the scouts a huge debt". Independent.co.uk. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
- ^ Kidd, Dave (8 June 2016). "Roy Hodgson hand-picks two spies to help England at Euro 2016 - and keep him in a job". Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
- Living people
- English football managers
- New Zealand Knights FC
- Fulham F.C. non-playing staff
- Bolton Wanderers F.C. non-playing staff
- Cardiff City F.C. non-playing staff
- Crystal Palace F.C. non-playing staff
- Queens Park Rangers F.C. non-playing staff
- Oxford City F.C. players
- A-League Men managers
- English men's footballers