As a coach, Adrian holds the highest European Licences, namely the UEFA Goalkeeping ‘A’ Licence & UEFA Pro Licence (outfield). He has supported individual performers from a wide range of levels, assisting learning, development and training within goalkeeping & outfield environments from the first experiences of football to the World Cup stage.
In May 2021, Adrian joined The Football Association as National Teams Goalkeeping Coach and Lead Coach Educator following a period of time with The Royal Football Federation of Morocco (FRMF) as the nations Director of Goalkeeping, working closely with Technical Director Osian Roberts who was a colleague with the Football Association of Wales for over 20 years previous.
Adrian previously worked for over 12 years in the professional club environment holding roles as Head of goalkeeping/first team goalkeeper coach with Swansea City AFC in two separate spells (2009-14 & 2018-19), Sunderland AFC (2015 to 2018) and Bristol Rovers (2019-20).
Adrian’s first 5 years as First Team Goalkeeper Coach at Swansea City saw the club gain promotion via the Football League Championship Play-offs to the Premier League under manager Brendan Rodgers. He was later part of the clubs first major silverware, with a second Wembley win, this time in the League Cup Final victory under former Denmark legend Michael Laudrup. Having also gained relevant experience in coaching within the Foundation Phase (7-11 years), Youth Development Phase (12-16 years) and Professional Performance Phase (18 years – Senior International), Adrian’s experience and knowledge of coaching and the ability to combine the performance needs of the Goalkeeper to that of the demands of the team within structured training and game practices for all playing units has given him the highest amount of respect in the world of coaching.
Later in his coaching career Adrian spent three and a half years at Sunderland where he worked with a number of experienced goalkeepers to include Costel Pantilimon, Vito Mannone and England International Jordan Pickford, who went on to complete a £30M transfer to Everton FC . In his time at the club Adrian has also assisted former England manager Sam Allardyce, former Everton and Manchester United manager David Moyes and former Welsh international manager Chris Coleman.
Through his 28 years in coach education and consultation, Adrian has coordinated & supported the development and delivery of UEFA coaching courses from Level 1 through to the UEFA PRO LICENCE. With his main expertise in goalkeeping, he has devised & implemented the UEFA Goalkeeper Coach Pathway. Adrian continues to support and mentor the needs of individual coaches & organisations in their specific environments and has supported coaching organisations across Europe to include Estonia, Georgia & Latvia, while also influencing programmes in Canada and the USA.
Within his current role with England, Adrian works with the national goalkeepers throughout the England Teams and leads the UEFA goalkeeping coach education programme.
