In a significant career transition, former Burnley midfielder Jack Cork has taken on the role of assistant manager for the club’s Under 21 squad. This major career move follows Cork's departure from Burnley after a seven-year spell marked by a total of 267 appearances. The 35-year-old had played minimal matches in the 2023-24 season before Burnley was relegated from the Premier League, prompting his decision to explore coaching opportunities.
Cork officially began his coaching journey in October 2023 after securing his Uefa B coaching licence earlier in the year. Speaking to Mail Sport, Cork expressed his feelings about his transition: “It was a difficult period really. The phone's not ringing and it's not going the way you want it to go. I was fed up waiting. I was missing being around the place and coaching is something I've always wanted to get into.”
Since stepping into his role, Cork has been actively involved in nurturing young talent at Burnley, which has not traditionally been known for producing future stars apart from notable players like Dwight McNeil. Under Cork's guidance, several young players such as Owen Dodgson and Dara Costelloe have shown promise while on loan at clubs like Burton Albion and Northampton respectively. This hands-on involvement is part of an effort to bolster the club's youth development efforts.
In addition to his coaching duties, Cork is preparing for the upcoming Dude Perfect International Youth Cup, a prestigious Under 12 tournament that will take place at Burnley’s home ground from May 30 to June 1. The tournament draws significant international participation, with clubs such as Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, and FC Dallas already confirmed. Cork remarked on the importance of such events for young players, noting, “To give them an experience like that and to speak to and learn from other children from different cultures, countries and to compete against different styles of play is really good for all the coaching staff and kids involved.”
Meanwhile, Cork's insight on the first team dynamics has been valuable, as he regularly attends meetings with Burnley’s first-team boss, Scott Parker. Burnley is currently enjoying a strong promotion push, sitting in second place with an impressive defensive record and only two losses in the season. Cork noted his confidence in the team’s ability to secure promotion, stating, “I think they’ll get the job done. They're a strong team and we've got everything you need to go up in this league.”
Additionally, Cork reflects on his own remarkable career, which includes playing for clubs like Southampton and Swansea City, and representing England. As he embarks on this new chapter in his footballing journey, he acknowledges the challenges and rewards of coaching: “You get a huge amount of pride by seeing these youngsters develop. It’s a different feeling...to just see someone you're working with every day take that step into the first team is great.”
In other news, Birmingham City has secured promotion from League One with six matches remaining in the season, following impressive investment in their squad during the summer amounting to over £25 million. The team, managed by Chris Davies, has achieved 95 points from 40 games, positioning them as one of the strongest teams in League One history, potentially poised to break record points tallies set by previous teams.
Lastly, Stevenage held its annual Kids Takeover during a match against Crawley, allowing young fans to engage in key roles, including mini-positions such as commentator and referee. The event proved to be a highlight as tweets from an eight-year-old participant, who acted as mini-social media admin, gained notable traction on social media, engaging a wider audience with humorous updates from the matchday. Stevenage ultimately clinched a 3-1 victory, ensuring stability in their midtable position in League One.
Source: Noah Wire Services