' Peter Whittingham Cardiff City Academy Coach? '

Peter Whittingham, the academy coach?

Bluebirds Nathan Blake is of the opinion that the club stalwart should remain with Cardiff City, but as a coach. He says the club should prioritise keeping the likes of Whittingham in their system.

' Peter Whittingham Cardiff City Academy Coach? '

By Nathan Blake

Thursday 13th April 2017

The Bluebirds legend sets out his stall for Whittingham's future, as current playing contract comes to an end

I really hope this isn't the end for Peter Whittingham.

I've been on record twice saying I think he's got quite a bit to offer, maybe not so much in a playing sense anymore.

Cardiff City aren't blessed with great coaches in their academy. No disrespect to any of the coaches who are there, but they're not in the top bracket.

Cardiff's problem — and I'll keep saying this until the cows come home — is that they haven't got enough former players coaching in their academy.


If you look at the best academies in the world: Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United — they've got dozens of former players now working as coaches.

It's incredible how much a young player can learn from someone who's been there, done it and got the t-shirt.

I look at someone like Danny Gabbidon and I'm shocked that he's been left out in the cold by Cardiff City. He clearly had ambitions to go into management or coaching, so not to utilise his knowledge and expertise with the academy is baffling, even after his spell as caretaker came to an end.

The chief executive, the board and the club have a responsibility to look after those who have served the club well. It should be about putting them in position and the academy director understanding how much young players can learn from these former players.

My hope, first and foremost, is that Whittingham wants to go in coaching; and if he does, that the club offer him a contract with extended terms to begin a fledging coaching career with the youngsters. Because Peter Whittingham won't be like any other academy coach. None of the others have played to his level, none of the others have represented the Bluebirds for so long.

You can't put a player (or coach) with Whittingham's experience in the same category as a young coach fresh out of college.

They might have done their coaching badges or whatever, but you cannot put a price on experience at the top level for decades. How can you compare the two?

The club must develop a straightforward pathway that allows legends like Whits to go into coaching. I can guarantee if one existed, Gabbidon wouldn't be on the radio.

If Whittingham wants a coaching role, Cardiff should roll out the red carpet.

They could set out a strategy to start him in the academy, then maybe move him to the Under-23s, then as an assistant to the first team, then who knows?

Management teams come in and out — you must have an infastructure.

And you can't keep allowing such vast experience to walk away, especially if you've been in the situation Cardiff were before Neil Warnock arrived.



If Warnock, Ronnie Jepson and Kevin Blackwell walk away — which is feasible, by the way — what's left?

People would clamour for Craig Bellamy's appointment but even Bellers would admit he's not quite ready to step up to the plate.

And I think if you asked Bellamy if he'd like more ex-players working alongside him with the academy, I'm willing to bet a lot of money that he'd bite your hand off.




Whittingham will do it when he's ready.

If he's reduced to playing 20 minutes or sitting on the bench every weekend, he could come in the following Monday and work with the kids.

Those little bits of feedback can prove invaluable to young players and if Whittingham wants it, the route should be there for him.

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

It would be great if Whitts could become a 'dead ball' specialist coach. They have specialist kicking coaches in Rugby but I don't think they do in football. The one thing PW has excelled at during his time here has been his dead ball delivery and penalty taking and it would be fantastic if he could pass that expertise onto the next generation.

bit harsh on the coaches there now.

I think Whitts can still do a job for City and a combined role might be a perfect solution for a player who will obviously play less under Neil Warnock but still has a part to play at the right times

This, I believe, would be a great move for both parties

He is 32 years old. Same as Ronaldo. Not 87.. a good preseason and he would still be a key player, for who ever will sign him.. Why would he go there at this point in his career?

He is 32 years old. Same as Ronaldo. Not 87.. a good preseason and he would still be a key player, for who ever will sign him.. Why would he go there at this point in his career?

agree
Whitts has a couple of years left in him and how much do these{ not the best }academy coaches get paid ?

He is 32 years old. Same as Ronaldo. Not 87.. a good preseason and he would still be a key player, for who ever will sign him.. Why would he go there at this point in his career?

agree
Whitts has a couple of years left in him and how much do these{ not the best }academy coaches get paid ?

Don't know. 5/10 % on what he is now? He will do what he does best, continue to play football.

He is 32 years old. Same as Ronaldo. Not 87.. a good preseason and he would still be a key player, for who ever will sign him.. Why would he go there at this point in his career?

agree
Whitts has a couple of years left in him and how much do these{ not the best }academy coaches get paid ?

Don't know. 5/10 % on what he is now? He will do what he does best, continue to play football.

yes.maybe not for us but i think he will continue to play .
i wonder who coached blakey when he was a kid..pele ? or was it someone with no badges giving up his free time for nothing

Still has a few years at this level yet.

Not totally sure his laid back approach makes him an obvious choice as a coach either. The who is to even say he wants to be a coach.

He is 32 years old. Same as Ronaldo. Not 87.. a good preseason and he would still be a key player, for who ever will sign him.. Why would he go there at this point in his career?

I agree with this.
For me, he still has a lot to offer and hopefully with us.
Everybody assuming he wants to go into coaching but I've not heard him ever mention it. I'd rather see him just concentrating on the playing side for another couple of seasons.

Whole article just screams bitterness from Blakey that CCFC never got him involved in their setup once he retired! It's the same when he's on Rob Phillips' phone in.

Whole article just screams bitterness from Blakey that CCFC never got him involved in their setup once he retired! It's the same when he's on Rob Phillips' phone in.

Good shout! Blakey usually talks drivel.

He is 32 years old. Same as Ronaldo. Not 87.. a good preseason and he would still be a key player, for who ever will sign him.. Why would he go there at this point in his career?

agree
Whitts has a couple of years left in him and how much do these{ not the best }academy coaches get paid ?

Don't know. 5/10 % on what he is now? He will do what he does best, continue to play football.

He will continue to do what he does best - what he wants!