A bit of breaking news at Sunderland... Hot on the heels of Sam Allardyce's appointment as manager, they have brought in Mark Taylor as the club’s performance director. "The over-arching role will see Taylor take responsibility for key areas of the club’s football operation, including sports science, strength and conditioning, medical, performance analysis and the first-team coaching staff," the club say.
Sunderland appoint performance director Published: 22 October, 2015 by Oscar Chamberlain Taylor arrives with Bracewell and Stockdale completing first-team backroom staff. Sunderland AFC are delighted to welcome Mark Taylor as the club’s performance director. The over-arching role will see Taylor take responsibility for key areas of the club’s football operation, including sports science, strength and conditioning, medical, performance analysis and the first-team coaching staff. Taylor arrives on Wearside with a wealth of experience spanning over 20 years in English football. During that time he has worked with a host of clubs and number of top managers. Mark has a tremendous amount of experience and expertise in these key disciplines and he will help us to ensure that our players reach their maximum potential. - Sam Allardyce on Mark Taylor Speaking about the appointment, Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce said: “Areas such as sports science and performance analysis are absolutely crucial in the modern game. Mark has a tremendous amount of experience and expertise in these key disciplines and he will help us to ensure that our players reach their maximum potential. “I am delighted to welcome Mark to the club.” Taylor added: “I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to work with Sam again, especially at a club with such a great history and tradition. I was born and brought up in the North East so this appointment takes on an extra special resonance for me. “There is a good group of players and staff at the club. Of course we all recognise we are in a special situation at the moment and we know we need to improve. That is the challenge ahead for me and everyone involved with the first team and I can’t wait to get started.” Born in Hartlepool, Taylor’s began his playing career at Victoria Park in 1984, before going on to play for Crewe Alexandra, Blackpool, Cardiff City and Wrexham. Following the end of his playing career, Taylor graduated with a BSc in physiotherapy and an MSc in sports science, before going on to link up with Sam Allardyce at Blackpool in 1995. Taylor went on to work with Roy Hodgson and Graeme Souness at Blackburn Rovers as the club qualified for Europe, before linking up with Sam Allardyce once again at Bolton Wanderers as Head of Sports Science and Medicine. A spell at Newcastle United followed before heading to Craven Cottage where he worked alongside Roy Hodgson, overseeing one of the club’s most successful periods including reaching the Europa League final as Head of Sports Medicine and Exercise Science. Completing the backroom line-up, Paul Bracewell undertakes the role of assistant to Sam Allardyce and Robbie Stockdale has been appointed as first-team coach. No idea at all about this bloke but, let`s face it, we need all the help we can get and Sam seems to think it`s a good move. Not sure about Bracewell mind. Not sure at all.
Sam and Taylor did a cracking job at Bolton with what was at the time state of the art facilities. Sam's heavily into his sports science but when you think about the fact West Ham, the Mags and Blackburn all had ****e facilities at the time he was in charge makes you wonder what he could do if given a bit off time. He must have felt like he'd fallen into a barrel of tits when he saw the Academy of Light.
No qualms about Taylor mate. Know nowt about the role but if Sam thinks he`ll be a big help then that`s all to the good. I have doubts about Bracewell though. Not sure he`s up to it tbh
Bracewell just seems very reserved. I'd like to see a bit fire in his belly. Don't know what's happening in the dressing room of course.
All top sports teams use this kind of expertise now. TeamSky being a typical example - Wiggins and Froome
Do performance directors help the players kick the round thing into the onion bag? My get the lazy arses fit again, but our ineptitude in front of goal lately has been worrying...
He hasn`t been doing that for a while mate. Stockdale took over since when they`ve improved in leaps a bounds. Bracewell has been assisting Dick Advocaat since when the first team have improved in le.........oh!
Bracewell is now the assistant manager (he was 1st team coach before), while Stockdale is now the 1st team coach (he was under 21 coach before). So who is coaching the under-21s now ?
