BURTON Albion first team coach Chris Beardsley is leaving the Pirelli Stadium to take up a new role with FIFA in the Caribbean.
Chris’s last game with the Brewers will be the away game at Port Vale on September 9 before he becomes a talent coach for FIFA based in Aruba on a two-year contract.
Chris says: “The high performance department in FIFA runs the Talent Development scheme and I will be one of the coaches that works in this area of the organisation. I will be working with the AVB (Aruba FA) on their development plan and the structure in their youth game, working with their best young players, coaches and Technical Director over there.
“In terms of the life experience for me and my family as well as the job, it was something I couldn’t really turn down. I have always wanted to coach abroad, and this is an opportunity to try something that will test and develop me in a completely different way.
“I have been in the English game for nearly 30 years from a schoolboy at Derby County so it’s something I know really well and this is an opportunity to step out of that comfort zone.”
Chris’s playing career started in the youth ranks at first Derby and then Mansfield Town. His playing career included successful spells at Stevenage and Preston before returning to Mansfield Town.
Chris joined Burton Albion in 2016 and he has worked under four managers.
He said: “I came in under Nigel Clough the summer we got promoted to the Championship and it’s a club where I have spent all my post playing career. I have learnt a lot of lessons and had some great moments. I have met some great players, backroom and office staff and I have developed greatly as a person and coach. I was never seven years as a player at one club, so Burton Albion has been a big part of my life.
“There have been incredible moments like staying up in the Championship, getting to the League Cup semi finals and individual games that stick in the memory.
“Covid was the downside as it was a tough time for so many people. The big lesson I learnt then was how important the fans are to football and the atmosphere.
“Overall I will look back at my time with Burton Albion very fondly. At a club like this we work very closely with the Chairman and I greatly respect how he has built the football club and what he has done for it. He’s very hands on and inspiring to so many people. I will miss all the staff, the board members and how everyone cares and works for the best for the football club and that will always hold it in good stead.
“Now I’m going out to Aruba looking to get the most out of the experience and I can’t wait to get started.”
Chairman Ben Robinson said: “Chris has played an important role at the football club under four managers, and we have shared some great times with him.
“He will be greatly missed but he has been offered a fantastic opportunity to progress his football career and see some of the world and he leaves with our very best wishes for him and his family and we hope he is very successful in his new role and we know he will be still be checking the Burton Albion results from the Caribbean.”
Dino Maamria said: “Chris has been a big part of this football club for the last seven years starting as a fitness coach and becoming first team coach. His work ethic is terrific and he will be sorely missed by everybody here but this is a great opportunity working for Fifa and we wish him all the best.”