Norwich City Football Club has bolstered its coaching staff with the appointment of Ricardo Pereira as the new head of academy goalkeeping. The experienced Portuguese coach was spotted on the training pitch alongside Declan Rudd, now the first-team goalkeeping coach, as they prepared new signing Vladan Kovacevic for the upcoming fixtures, including the Boxing Day clash against Charlton Athletic.
Pereira takes over the role previously held by Rudd, who has recently stepped up to the first-team position following the departure of Tony Roberts earlier this month. Rudd, a product of Norwich's academy, is expected to work closely with Pereira, who will also lend his expertise to first-team preparations on matchdays. Read more about Clement Backs Kovacevic as Norwich Keeper Shines.
This strategic appointment comes at the recommendation of head coach Philippe Clement, who believes Pereira's extensive coaching background will significantly enhance the club's goalkeeping development programme. At 51 years old, Pereira brings a wealth of experience, having worked with prestigious clubs such as Benfica, Legia Warsaw, Standard Liege, Nottingham Forest, and Real Valladolid. His contributions to youth development with the Portuguese Football Association further highlight his qualifications.
Pereira's tenure at Nottingham Forest in 2019, where he served under manager Sabri Lamouchi, followed brief stints at LASK and Radomiak in Poland. His coaching career has seen him mentor notable goalkeepers, including Guillermo Ochoa, showcasing his ability to cultivate talent.
In a recent discussion with Hub Soccer, Pereira expressed his lifelong connection to the role of a goalkeeper, stating, “I can assure you: once a goalkeeper, a goalkeeper for life. It is something that becomes part of us. I remember the first goals I have protected in my street.” He elaborated on his coaching philosophy, saying, “I say that I am a much better goalkeeper coach than what I was as a goalkeeper. Sometimes, I do not even speak about passion but love. I have studied kindergarten teaching and clinical psychology. The knowledge from these areas helps me to coach better.”
Pereira’s arrival marks a significant enhancement to Norwich City's goalkeeping structure, as the club now boasts a comprehensive coaching team for both first-team and academy levels. This development is a crucial step in solidifying the club's foundations and promises to play a vital role in shaping the future of goalkeeping at Carrow Road.