ONE FOR THE FAMILY ALBUM
Canada’s underdog boss has led them to a first World Cup since 1986 and he hopes Panini will do them justice
John Herdman is not exaggerating when he says football saved his life.
The Geordie has masterminded Canada’s first successful World Cup qualifying campaign since 1986.
But the coach from County Durham – who recalls being a kid in Consett collecting World Cup Panini stickers – prefers to look towards the next challenge rather than the fights he has left behind.
However, the tr ial s and tribulations Herdman, 47, faced during his childhood have made him the man he is today.
His father Norman suffered from severe mental health issues, while mum Margaret found solace in alcohol.
Herdman was forced to grow up quickly but his back story has driven his journey and made his achievements even more remarkable.
Herdman said: “I was shaped by my childhood experiences but they don’t define me.
“It was when I was 16 or 17 there came a moment when I realised my parents were no longer going to be there for me and that I had to look after myself.
“In fact, it was a case of me having to look after them. It was like, ‘ This is it, you’re on your own now, son. Ask nothing from nobody, take nothing from nobody and just get on with it’.
“I had two really tough years when I was beaten to within an inch of my life and the family unit broke down completely.
“I could have easily gone in the wrong direction and been lost forever. Instead, I became self-reliant. I became desperate to prove people wrong.
“I studied psychology and did a Duke of Edinburgh Award, which involved doing voluntary hours in the community.
“So I coached the Under-11 team at my local junior club and that was the moment I fell in love with coaching and the whole process of teaching people.
“Now, here I am – preparing to take Canada to the World Cup finals for the first time in 36 years.”
Herdman studied to become a PE teacher and worked in the academy at Sunderland.
But he felt like he had hit a glass ceiling when a former England international damned him with faint praise.
Herdman felt compelled to travel to the other side of the world for the opportunity to once again prove the doubters wrong.
He recalled: “This guy was also working in the academy, coaching his own son. He stopped me one day and told me that I was a great coach and a great teacher.
“But he then told me I had found my level, that I wouldn’t get any further because I had never stood in the middle of a pitch in front of 50,000 fans.
“It was another one of those moments – and again I was absolutely clear in my mind that I wasn’t having it. It was a conversation that has really driven me on – and I’ve only been able to let it go over the last couple of years because of how things have panned out.”
Herdman went to work for the New Zealand FA in 2001 and coached the women’s team to successive World Cup appearances and at the Olympics.
A decade later, he was appointed coach of Canada’s women’s team – and led them to gold in the Pan American Games and successive bronze medals at the London and
Rio Olympics. Now, under his guidance, the men’s team have risen 30 places up the FIFA rankings and booked their ticket for Qatar after a 20-game qualifying campaign that ended with them top of the CONCACAF group. Canada have been d r aw n against Belgium, Croatia and Morocco at the World Cup.
And, although Herdman has Bayern Munich’s Champions League- winning ful l- back Alphonso Davies and Lille’s
French title- winning striker Jonathan David in his squad, it’s a daunting prospect.
Herdman said: “The last time Canada went to the World Cup was in 1986.
“It’s the f irst tournament I remember – and two things stand out. Gary Lineker played with a bandage around his injured hand and won the Golden Boot.
“The second thing is that I collected Panini stickers and Canada only had two because no one knew who their players were.
“I’m hoping this time Panini gives us a couple of pages like the other teams.”