Source: FOOTYMAD
Thorn goes back to school to start coaching course
City boss to be taught by ex City player Andy Thorn became manager of Coventry City Football Club even though he did not have the required UEFA coaching badges, but that will change during the summer. Thorn will start work on earning his coaching badges when he takes a one week course next week at Cheltenham Town FC. The course teacher is former Coventry City defender Brian 'Bugsy' Borrows. Borrows played for Coventry City more than 400 times between 1985 and 1997 and played an important part of the 1987 cup winning season, but twisted his knee a week before the final and missed out on a winners medal. Borrows now works for the Professional Footballers’ Association where he runs coaching courses for players who want a career in football after their playing days are over. Thorn, who was scheduled to be taking a family holiday, has had to alter his plans after the chairman told him he needed to be licenced if he wanted to manage the club. Thorn explained, “The chairman has told me to get my head down and get my badges and I am more than happy to do that.” The rules governing who can manage Championship clubs are due to change next year which is why Thorn is having to take his badges now. Currently Championship managers are not required under the rules to have a formal and recognised coaching qualification, but that will change in 2012 and Championship managers will need at least their UEFA B licence. Thorn explained, “There is a rule coming in in 2012 that you have to have a UEFA B licence to manage in the Championship. So I will do this one, which is the Level Two qualification, and then I can do my licence before that date." Thorn admitted he faced an unusual problem when he revealed, “It will be good to get it done and out the way, and I have even managed to find some kit that fits me.” Brian Borrows, who still lives in the Coventry area and attends games at The Ricoh when possible, said, “Andy has got all the knowledge with his vast experience in the game and the course is all about how to pass that on to the players, which I am sure he’s already been doing with Steve Harrison." “I will be taking the course and it will be nice because I will support him after that as he works toward his UEFA B licence. He’ll be in good company on the course which is for PFA members, so they will all be either people still playing at a professional level or former professionals.” The week long course includes practical work on the pitch as well as theory and book work which is done in the classroom. Thorn will also have plenty of homework to do in the evenings. Borrows was asked what he thought of Thorn's approach to the style of football he has his City side playing? He replied, “I watched the last couple of home games and the football was certainly enjoyable to watch.”
