From Consetto to Qatar, John Hardman lives the World Cup dream with Canada
Gareth Southgate won’t be the only one English As World Cup manager, John Hardman will see him take the lead with his continued knack for proving people wrong Canada First final since 1986.
son of Conset, County Durhamthe 47-year-old had a coaching bug while working for his local under-11 team as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards before working at the Sunderland academy.
However, Hardman’s progress was hampered by what was seen as the ‘Old Boys Club’ in the British game, so he made a life-changing move to New Zealand in 2001.
He eventually became the women’s national team coach, then held the same position in Canada before becoming manager of the men’s team in 2018, leading them to their second World Cup.
“Given my career progression, it was definitely a challenge when I wasn’t playing at the highest level,” Hardman told PA News Agency.
“I have worked in the academies in England and felt that there is a culture that mostly protects players who have given their lives to the game and keeps out those who are not really part of the club. I was.
“Back in the ’90s, it felt like a bit of an old boys’ game where if you didn’t play the game you weren’t supposed to get a job at the next level.
“There was this desire to prove people wrong.
“We are coming into this World Cup with the freedom to really enjoy the experience with these players. We have to approach it with that kind of freedom because there is nothing but chance for Canada in this World Cup. .
“I think my desire to prove people wrong has already been achieved.
“Now is the time to enjoy this, to experience the hard work that has gone on, to open up and embrace and enjoy everything the World Cup has to throw at us.”
Belgium, Croatia and Morocco are Canada’s group opponents, and Bayern Munich’s Alfonso Davies and reel forward Jonathan David are the star names in a team that has benefited from major league soccer growth.
Hardman has carefully crafted the group’s mindset in preparation for a tough-looking group, and credits his upbringing at Consett with his management abilities.
Additionally, coaching helped me get through a tough time after moving to public housing alone at age 16 while my father was dealing with mental health issues.
“It’s just laid the foundation for what my future will be. I’m relying on myself here,” Hardman said, keeping the Northeast chirp intact.
“Your parents are no longer with you.
“Ask nothing from anyone, get nothing from anyone, get it done. Keep doing it, it’s like that. Anyone who knows me knows that it’s not in anyone’s pocket.” you know
“If this is the direction we’re headed, I’m very determined. I’m going to dedicate my life to it, and I’m usually going where we were going to go, or very close.” You will reach the location.
“It came out of that moment. I think I had two really rough years when I was 16 or 17 – just a split second in my life and my family was falling apart and my dad probably wouldn’t be the same. I noticed.
“It was a tough time. It could have easily gone the wrong way.
“I think coaching saved me and my passion to follow that path to teaching and ultimately to professional coaching.”
That commitment provided the groundwork for Hardman’s incredible journey to Qatar, making him the first manager to lead both the women’s and men’s national teams to World Cup qualifiers.
“With this team, we have nothing left to prove,” he added. “I’ve got everything I can get and I have a great opportunity in front of me.”
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/canada-gareth-southgate-consett-english-county-durham-b2174562.html From Consetto to Qatar, John Hardman lives the World Cup dream with Canada