Paul Ritchie
Technical Director & Coach
- Date Joined: 20th May 2016
A UEFA Pro licenced football coach with a strong level of experience in the game
having successfully applied the lessons learned over the course of a 17 year playing
career to the effective management, coaching and development of the game’s next
generation of talent
Possesses experience at both elite first team and youth team level having working in
the MLS, SPL and for the Manchester United Soccer Schools, focusing on complete
tactical, technical and physical progression to build successful teams and players
capable of performing at the highest level
A passionate and knowledgeable coach who priorities a holistic learning environment
that engages players and encourages them to continually adapt within the changing
requirements of the modern game
having successfully applied the lessons learned over the course of a 17 year playing
career to the effective management, coaching and development of the game’s next
generation of talent
Possesses experience at both elite first team and youth team level having working in
the MLS, SPL and for the Manchester United Soccer Schools, focusing on complete
tactical, technical and physical progression to build successful teams and players
capable of performing at the highest level
A passionate and knowledgeable coach who priorities a holistic learning environment
that engages players and encourages them to continually adapt within the changing
requirements of the modern game
Qualifications/Accreditation
UEFA
Pro Licence
2013UEFA
A Licence
2011
Scottish Football Association
Advanced Youth A Licence
2011UEFA
B Licence
2008Scottish Football Association
Physical Preparation Certificate: 12 - 18s
Career History
FC Sol
Technical Director
2015 – Present
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Assistant Head Coach
2012 – 2013
Carolina Railhawks FC
Assistant Head Coach
2010 – 2012
Manchester United FC
Soccer Schools Coach
2009 – 2010
Dundee FC
Under 19s Head Coach
2007 – 2008
Key Achievements
- Won the 2012 Cascadia Cup and 2012 World Pro Soccer Classic with Vancouver
- 4 Reached the final of the 2012 and 2013 Canadian Championships with Vancouver, a competition played by the best professional teams in the country including fellow MLS sides Toronto FC and Montreal Impact
- Helped Vancouver improve their MLS position from 18th overall in 2011 to reaching the Western Conference play-offs in 2012
- Won the inaugural 2011 NASL title with Carolina as well as the 2010 NASL Conference title of the USSF Division 2
- Reached the final of the 2010 USSF Division 2 play-offs and the semi-finals of the 2011 NASL season with Carolina
- Developed two Dundee Under 19 players who were promoted to the first team squad and went on to play regularly as part of the squad - Kyle Benedictus and Craig Forsyth, with Craig going on to play for Watford and now Derby County
