Hassan Sulaiman, Nigeria descent tactician in charge of Chelsea Under-18 has spoken about his plans and objective for the 2023/2024 campaign in an interview with the club media as he looks to prioritize individual talent discovery and development alongside team progression.
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He has settled into his role as the Under-18s head coach, taking charge of the games towards the back end of the season and in that time, he has been able to learn so much about his team and he shares his excitement ahead of the pre-season for the 2023/24 campaign.
“There is so much to look forward to, the way we ended this season shows what this group is capable of,” he began. ‘We are littered with talented and intelligent footballers. Honing their individual skill sets to ensure the general progression of the team will be my biggest responsibility.”
“There has been a lot of trust and faith placed in me by the Academy’s leadership team and I cannot thank them enough for their belief in my ability,” he says.
“Coaching within the parameters of the club’s values is something that will never change and is very important to all of us here at the Academy.”
“Nonetheless, within that framework, there are a number of ways for me to add my own input which will aid the development and winning process that we have already cultivated.”
Stepping into the role midway through the season, Hassan Sulaiman adopted a meticulous approach and it’s paying off so far.
“I recognise and appreciate the significant contributions of former head coach, Ed Brand,’ he notes. ‘During his tenure as the Under-18s head coach he laid solid foundations for the players to succeed. It is not about undoing the work that he has done but it is more about adding onto it in a unique manner and that is my job.”
“I cannot stress enough the importance of fostering a strong team bond. It is the very backbone of any success we want to have. We must strive for synergy within the team, a shared understanding, and unwavering trust in each other’s abilities. Together, we want to build a formidable unit that will handle and overcome the challenges brought our way on the pitch.”
Furthermore, Hassan Sulaiman, whose new role was confirmed in March, stressed the importance of individual action plans for players, encouraging them to take responsibility for their own growth.
By empowering players to contribute actively to their development, he believes that it will ultimately come as a benefit to the team as a whole – “We want our players to be proactive in their improvement, as it will have a positive impact on the entire team.”
Acknowledging his position as one of the few black managers in the English game, both at the senior and youth levels, the Academy coach understands the significance of being a role model. However, he emphasized that he will be judged on his abilities as a coach. He remains confident in his coaching acumen and believes that success is within his reach.
“We have seen Darren Moore get promoted at Sheffield Wednesday, and Andy Myers succeed as the development squad head coach here at Chelsea. There is no reason why I cannot succeed and achieve great things in this role,” he confidently stated.
