LEARNING CURVE IS STARTING FOR KUHL
HE’S played over 500 games in the Football League and coached at all levels for the best part of two decades, but for Martin Kuhl the learning process just keeps going on.
“At 53 I think I’ve served my apprenticeship,” joked the former Birmingham City, Portsmouth and Bristol City midfielder who this week was handed his first permanent job in senior football management at Basingstoke Town.
“I’ve been in football all my life, played at the highest level but I’m a student of the game and I’m still learning all the time… training methods, systems, formations,” he admitted.
“I’ve made a few trips up to Manchester recently to watch Pep Guardiola and the expansive game that City play. Of course, they’ve got the tools to play that way but I love the different methods they work the ball up to (Sergio) Aguero. The game has moved on a lot but I’m as passionate as ever to learn.”
Kuhl now finally has the chance to cut his cloth in management, while working alongside the man who himself taught him many tricks of the trade.
Alongside Terry Brown as first-team coach, Kuhl took Aldershot Town into the Conference and then later into the Football League with Gary Waddock before the pair left to take over at Wycombe Wanderers, winning promotion to League One in the 2010-11 season.
Brown, the former Hayes, AFC Wimbledon and Margate boss, is Director of Football at Basingstoke these days, overseeing the club’s proud sports educational academy and community coaching programme.
He stepped back into the dugout on a caretaker basis after Jason Bristow left to become Eastleigh’s number two last month and wasted no time in renewing acquaintances with his former Shots No.2, who stood down from a spell as Torquay United assistant boss in July to pursue an Academy position closer to home.
A Pro Licenced coach, Kuhl also played a major role at Championship club Reading, managing the club’s highly-successful Under 23 side and working under Brian McDermott, Nigel Adkins and, most recently, Jaap Stam.
Now he is relishing the chance to use that wealth of experience in getting the best out of the Camrose youngsters and steer the Dragons towards a play-off push in Evo-Stik Southern Premier South.
“I’ve seen the boys a couple of times and they’re playing some nice football, I’m looking forward to working with them,” added Kuhl, who will be assisted by former Hartley Wintney co-boss Dan Brownlie.
“The time is right for me. I’ve been going for a few manager’s jobs so when Terry got in touch after Jason left I knew it was a great opportunity.
“These are exciting times for the club, moving into a new stadium next season, but my focus is on the half a season we have left of this season and utilising the good young team we have here the best we can. “It’s great to be back working with Terry. We had a good understanding at Aldershot and have kept in touch since.
“Hopefully, between us, we can enjoy some more success.”