PUGH, WHAT AN EGG SCORCHER!

BY

MARC PUGH could hardly boil an egg a few years ago – but now the former Bournemouth star is earning a reputation as a nutritional guru.

He is a regular visitor to the 72 EFL clubs hoping to transform the diets of players and staff.

And he has revealed a secret behind the Cherries’ journey from the lower leagues to the Premier League under Eddie Howe.

It was while he was at Bournemouth that Pugh (above) decided he needed a lifestyle change to cope with the extra demands on him.

He said: “I had been promoted to the Championship with

Bournemouth. I thought, ‘How do I gain that edge to improve performance and recovery?’

“So I did a diploma in nutrition, all the benefits for your health. I started taking it all seriously and I was going from running 11k in games to 13k, 14k. I was fitter, stronger, recovering better.

“Then I thought, ‘Why rely on the missus to cook everything for me? Why don’t I get involved in cooking?’ I could hardly boil an egg then. I started becoming more confident, able to put on some good dishes.”

After moving to QPR, Pugh set up an Instagram page outlining many of his special recipes for improving eating habits, something which, after retiring, is now a passion he wants to share.

The 35-year-old added: “I set up a page ‘The Foodie Footballer’. I wanted to encourage people to have a better lifestyle.

“I’m now on a licensed programme for the PFA. I travel around to the 72 EFL clubs putting on 40 minute presentations. I teach them how to prepare pre-match and after match meals.

“I talk about healthy carb choices, healthy protein, healthy fats, small percentages to gain an edge. I really enjoy it.”

*Watch the extended interview ‘Coffee with (Rob) McCaffrey on Soccerex TV.