Exclusive: Former Tottenham coach branded new Jose Mourinho ready for Steven Gerrard clash
TBR Football has spoken exclusively to former US boss Anthony Hudson
Once called the ‘new’ Jose Mourinho by Harry Redknapp, Anthony Hudson is building his reputation as one of the most respected English coaches in the footballing world.
Hudson is currently in charge of Qatari giants Al Arabi, one of the biggest clubs in Asian football, and they will take in Al-Ettifaq – managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard – in the Asian Champions League.
Still only 43, Hudson has enjoyed a remarkable career to date, and his latest move sees him managing Italian superstar Marco Verratti.
TBR Football has spoken exclusively to Hudson, as he prepares to face compatriot Gerrard.
“It is a crazy situation really that two English coaches are facing other but it’s great and I am looking forward to it, I don’t think it would have happened before two British coaches meeting like this, it is a good thing, British managers going abroad and looking at different philosophies.”
Anthony Hudson backs Thomas Tuchel’s England appointment
Talking of British managers, England decided to go foreign once again with Thomas Tuchel named as the successor to Gareth Southgate.
Hudson admits that the Football Association has perhaps switched course, but he has nothing but admiration for Tuchel and thinks he was the right man.
“I think every federation does how they want but I think the FA did seem to have a plan, but they seem to have gone away from that – you look at Spain with a similar model in terms of bringing coaches through.
“But I think that is an excuse, if you are a coach or a manager who wants to progress that in the game that is an easy excuse, it is a tough industry and in my case I have gone all over the world to gain experience, I could have sat in England and complained about the lack of opportunity, so I don’t buy that.
“I think he is a very good appointment, he will do really well with the team and be successful, but it did seem like they had a plan but they are entitled to do that and I think he is a good appointment.”
Hudson himself started as a coach in his 20s with Harry Redknapp at Tottenham Hotspur before he was named Newport County manager aged just 30. He went on to manage Colorado Rapids in the MLS and also spent time as head coach of Bahrain, New Zealand and most recently the United States.
“I was just at a young age when I went to Europe but I was just never willing to settle – I wanted to carve my own way and it has taken me on this path.
“You talk about other people getting chances and opportunities, but you have to figure out what they are doing or what you can do better.”
Working with Italian superstar Marco Verratti
Hudson’s journey has brought him to Qatar where he is now in charge of Al Arabi, who include Italian midfield star Marco Verratti in their ranks.
“He is an incredible person, every day, every game – I have never seen someone give as much – he can literally do everything with a football, he can get out of any situation, create chances – such a good team player and the person is a good as the quality – he is top a person.”
Hudson has coached some world class talent during his coaching career, including most recently the likes of American star Christian Pulisic and he admits that Verratti is a good as anything he has come across.
“He is up there with the best I have had, he is the type of player you love watching – I have worked with some special players but he does things that you catch yourself saying ‘wow’ a special player.”
In terms of his future, who was strongly linked with the Republic of Ireland head coach position and Scottish giants Rangers, he admits that returning to work in the UK is something that is likely
“I am hoping to at some pint, not definite plans but my family are back there and you never know but I see that as a possibility for sure,” he added.
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