No sooner do Scotland get things in place that somebody comes along and head-hunts one of the key parts of the jigsaw. The SFA announced today that one of the seven Regional Performance School coaches, Ian Cathro, will be leaving his post and heading to the sun to take up a coaching role with the Portuguese Primeira Liga side, Rio Ave. Cathro was one of the seven coaches appointed in January by Performance Director Mark Wotte to lead one of the Regional Performance School. Cathro was instrumental in implementing a programme for technical development at St John’s High School while at Dundee United and was appointed by Wotte to replicate that programme as part of the new Performance Strategy. He joins Rio Ave as part of a new technical staff under the leadership of their recently appointed Head Coach, Nuno Espirito Santo. Cathro was first spotted by Espirito Santo while both attended the Scottish FA UEFA B Licence last summer at Inverclyde.
Ian Cathro (c) Ger Harley | SportPix Cathro said: "I am sad to be leaving at such an exciting time for elite player development in Scotland but this is an opportunity I did not envisage and, when the call came, simply could not refuse. I believe the Regional Performance Schools will be a huge step in the right direction and a pivotal part of Mark Wotte’s Performance Strategy and I would like to thank Mark and, indeed, Craig Levein, for showing faith in me. I am excited by the chance to work as an assistant coach in the Portuguese first division and wish Mark and the Scottish FA the best of luck when the Regional Performance Schools begin in August." Wotte said: "We are naturally disappointed to be losing such a talented young coach but in the last six months he has helped us develop the curriculum for the Regional Performance Schools. This is a fantastic opportunity for Ian to develop as an assistant coach in the top division in Portugal and we wish him every success. We will now look to appoint a new Regional Performance Coach for St John’s High School as soon as possible."Source: FOOTYMAD
