Former footballers undergo military training as part of coaching course
Football coaches, including ex-players Aaron Ramsey and Willy Caballero, took part in a military-style exercise to learn leadership under pressure.
The serene Herefordshire countryside was shattered by explosions and screams as six camouflaged individuals rushed to help a soldier clutching his bloody leg, half of which appeared blown off. Thankfully, the blood was fake and the victim was an actor—a former soldier and amputee—while the first responders were football coaches studying for their UEFA Pro Licence.
The two-day intensive exercise, run by Fieri, included former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey applying a tourniquet, ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero comforting the casualty, and other notable figures like Michael Bradley, Florent Malouda, and current managers Luke Williams and Michael Wilde. The course involved hostage rescue scenarios, first aid, and strategic planning in the virtual world of 'Breconia'.
According to Fieri founder Matt Johns, the goal is to create an unfamiliar, high-pressure environment so coaches can learn about themselves and adapt their approaches. Among the participants was former US international Ella Masar, who was 36 weeks pregnant—she joked that her bump gave others 'a little bit of a day in the life'.
The FAW course is known as the 'Harvard of football coaching', with graduates including Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. Despite early mornings and exhausting tasks, participants praised the experience for building leadership skills applicable to football management.
