Phil Parkinson

Coaching Sessions

Running without the ball

In Possession

We will practice this session at least once a fortnight. Running in behind without the ball is extremely valuable because it steers players into dangerous areas of the pitch. Constantly offering different threats to the opposition defence is important, but this move also helps us retain possession, which is vital.

Defending positions

Defending

Use this defensive practice to teach players how to hold the line, whilst defending threats that emerge through the middle as well as from wide areas.

Improving the defence

Defending

This session begins with simple 1v1 and 2v2 defending exercises in order to rehearse players in the basics. It then progresses through practices designed to show defenders how to deal with attacking wide players and how to prevent crosses.

Biography

After ending his playing career at Reading in 2003, Phil Parkinson first moved into management with Colchester United. He enjoyed success with the U’s, leading them to promotion as League One runners up in 2006 before taking over as manager of Championship rivals Hull City. After a stint at Charlton Athletic, he was appointed manager of Bradford City and he led the club to the final of the League Cup in 2013. In doing so, he became the only manager to take an English fourth-tier league club to the final of a major cup competition at Wembley. City finished runners up in the final but he oversaw promotion via the playoffs in the same season. To recognise these achievements, he received an LMA Special Merit Award. He was also voted the LMA’s FA Cup Manager of the Year in 2015. He became manager of Bolton in the summer of 2016 and helped the club achieve promotion to the Championship in his first season. He took over at Sunderland in October 2019.

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