Charlie Daniels, the former Cherries fullback best remembered for his spell at AFC Bournemouth, is the latest addition to Watford’s coaching staff. He joins the Galaxy in the capacity of development coach. At 39 years old, Daniels brings a deep level of experience from his playing career. In doing so he became an equally stellar 129th appearance maker in the Premier League era. His path to becoming a coach has been uniquely shaped by profound opportunities. He first experienced coaching under Eddie Howe at Bournemouth and later, more recently, he has been developing his skills in scouting and analysis while working towards his UEFA Pro Licence.
Daniels’ career is truly a celebration of grit and the late bloomer. He didn’t make his Championship debut until 27 years of age. It’s inspiring to see the success of late bloomers in football, proving that success sometimes comes later in life. His stint at Bournemouth was vital to forging his raw talent into a polished skillset on the field. It paved the way for his transition into coaching, where he now leads with a focus on developing players.
Transitioning to Coaching
His coaching philosophy is an embodiment of his belief that practice needs to be more structured with clear purpose and defined intent. He emphasizes the importance of having goals for every training day, stating, “Every session had a purpose. There were no wasted days.” This philosophy comes from his personal experiences as a player, in which he sought new and exciting challenges in training.
His time under Howe was particularly influential. Daniels remembers how those surprising, organized, but free-flowing sessions lit his fire for coaching. “Early on in my career, it struck me that I knew exactly what we were going to do every day in training. For some people, that works really well. I wanted to be tested,” he noted. This drive for an engaging atmosphere has influenced the way he runs advanced training sessions today.
Daniels takes a holistic approach to coaching, understanding that flexibility and adaptability are key aspects of effective coaching. He’s a hands-on developer of the player’s skill. He understands that mixing up formations and styles is key to emphasizing a team’s individual players’ talents. Let’s just say, for example, you’ve found the next super-talented left-winger. Since too much weight on the right side will quickly convert it to the left, the converse is true. This will give him a chance to show his best self,” he added.
Focus on Player Development
In his new position at Watford, Daniels feels a deep responsibility to make sure that every young player is on the right track. He knows the weight all of them have on their shoulders as they try to find their way into first team routines. “They look at Max Dowman and Rio Ngumoha now and they think, well, when is my chance going to come? It is too late for me,” he said. “It does not work like that. These could be superstars in the making.”
This commitment to developing talent is a bedrock of his coaching philosophy. Daniels’ approach stems from a deep conviction to creating an atmosphere that sets players free to be themselves. It’s a necessary path for their continued development and progression in the game.
He remembers that his own introduction to coaching was a lot of experiential learning, working in the trenches next to Howe. “That is where the excitement of becoming a coach really started,” he remarked, emphasizing how these formative moments have propelled him into this new phase of his career.
Unique Experiences Shape Coaching Style
Daniels’ path to coaching has been unconventional as well, filled with experiences that have shaped how he views the game. Over the course of his UEFA Pro Licence training, he was involved in an exercise intended to build stronger team camaraderie. The catch? It was all done through song! “We had to sing one of the songs all together. Do you know what? It was really good because it was kind of like an icebreaker for everyone,” he shared.
He admitted that these types of extra activities, though unorthodox, foster a bonding experience between players and coaches. “It was designed to kind of express yourself and get you out of your comfort zone. And once everyone got into it and understood it, it was a really good experience and really liberating,” he added.
Moreover, Daniels’ recent trip to the European U21 Championship in Slovakia allowed him to scout new talent, including Nick Woltemade, Newcastle’s new striker. He’s particularly passionate about discovering and training up emerging talents, and he looks forward to this experience sharpening his coaching skills even more.
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