Meet Mark Thompson

We are delighted to introduce Mark Thompson as the latest member of Everton’s International Academy Affiliate Programme (EIAAP).

Mark, the the new International Technical Coaching Manager, is a UEFA A License Coach with lots of experience in football.

He has held previous Leadership roles, serving as a Technical Director in the UK and the US, where he has coached as part of our US summer camp staff for the past two seasons.

Mark said: “It’s great to become part of the Everton Family and meet all the great staff at the club, and especially the International Department.

“I am looking forward to playing my part in moving the International programme forward and expanding on some already great partnerships we have in place.”

We thought you would like to know more about Mark, below...

What are your former roles/clubs?
I have worked in full time academy coaching and first team Scout at Peterborough United and Grimsby Town. I’ve held the role of Academy Coach Technical Director and U19 Head coach at Boston Utd and was the Technical Director and ECNL Coach at FC Pride (USA).

As mentioned above, I have also worked Everton International coach (US Summer Camps). I have also done some sporadic work in the USA, and done some private 1-2-1 coaching in the UK.

How did you get into coaching?
When the old legs started to get to heavy after games, I found myself losing the love for playing, but wanted to stay involved in football, so i took a player/coach role to see if it was something I’d like to pursue. I guess it was! I then enrolled on some coaching qualifications through the PFA and some FA courses and here i am, still going strong after 13/14 years of coaching.

What gives you the biggest enjoyment, or is the best part of your role?
To see progress in players’ development is always very rewarding, but the bigger picture stuff is that we hold such a powerful position in an individual’s development as a coach. The life impact can far outweigh the stuff on the pitch, whether that's, making new friends, gaining confidence, or simply teaching good values, manners and respect. Those impacts are equally as rewarding. I have coached players that have played in the English Football League, gone on to represent their country and been sold for millions of pounds, so I consider myself very lucky.

How much did you enjoy living and working in the USA?
It’s a completely different way of life. The USA is a very hard-working culture, and a low social life culture, so as a family we missed that. But equally it offers so much opportunity, such as the travel, during which I had the good fortune and opportunity to see so many different things and cities. The ‘Soccer culture’ is interesting and the facilities available to players is mind blowing. I guess, my family got the opportunity to live and embrace a life-changing experience and schooling (for the kids) and it’s always good to step outside of your comfort zone to grow as an individual. The game is in a good place there right now and I feel it will only continue to grow.

How much has football expanded in the USA, in your experience?
Slowly but surely, they are making strides in the US. The hiring of Mauricio Pochettino and Emma Hayes as Head Coaches of both the US Men’s and Women’s national sides can only be a positive move for the country and, when they eventually get it right, I feel the USA can become a very dominant country in the sport. The one downside is that kids have so many different sports to choose from, including the NBA, NFL and NHL to name a few, so you are fishing in a very popular and deep-rooted sporting pool.

What are you looking forward to most in your new role?
Helping to continue the good work that has already taken place and hopefully play a small part in growing the International department, with more Affiliate Partnerships, enhanced Soccer Schools and generally growing the global reach of Everton. It will also be great to meet the many fantastic, established Affiliate clubs that we have in the International Academy department. I also love to travel and visit new places, so that is hopefully going to be exciting too.

What is the most important thing any young footballer needs to know?
Have fun and smile! Often, pressures come too soon and unfortunately the enjoyment can waiver, so for me, its vitally important we continue to enhance the player’s love of the game, first and foremost, then we can get into the real crux of player development.