Former Aston Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane has revealed that he will begin coaching at the club at youth level from September onwards.
The 32-year-old’s playing career is still ongoing as he has a contract with Derby County until June 2024, but he’s evidently keen to plan ahead for his eventual retirement and life after playing.
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Hourihane joined us from Barnsley in January 2017 and in his five years at Villa, albeit with loan spells away too, he made 151 appearances for the club, scoring 29 goals and providing 23 assists as he played a key role in helping us get to where we are now.
In turn, he is remembered fondly by the Villa faithful, and so it’s great to hear that he will be part of the club moving forward still as he looks to get his coaching career going.
The Republic of Ireland international revealed that he will be working with the U16s as part of the coaching staff later this summer, as he looks to complete his badges and qualifications during what could be his last season as a professional player.
“I’ll be coaching Villa U16s next year, which is amazing, so that’s a good step in that direction,” he told the Southern Star podcast. “They train at night-time, so I can do that and got asked would I be interested, and I said yes of course. So from September, I’m coaching the Villa U16s which I’m really looking forward to, it’s something that I’ve got a huge eye on in getting prepared for before the end of my career.
“It’s amazing. I’m going to be one of a couple of coaches to be involved in it, I was in and out of Aston Villa, I’ve still got great contacts there from the time I was there, I live locally there. I was in and out of there recently over the summer and they offered me a job of being involved with the U16s and so I absolutely jumped at it. It will be great for the experience and to have on my CV moving forward.”
Given the experience that he has gained over the course of his career to date and having gone through the levels to reach the top, he will undoubtedly be an important and valuable voice for our youngsters, and he has had a number of top coaches that he would have learned plenty from too.
With that in mind, it’s hoped he can bring a lot to the job, with Villa management evidently believing he can by offering him the position, and he’ll hopefully be able to help develop and improve our youth talents to eventually break into the first-team squad and enjoy a big future at the club.
Hourihane will of course know the surroundings well and what it means to be part of the senior side so he can hit the ground running, and so on paper it looks to be a sensible move from the club, and a perfect start from him on what he hopes will be a positive coaching journey.
