Chris Ramsey: Justin Cochrane destined for ‘formidable’ job

JUSTIN COCHRANE is destined to get a “formidable” job as an assistant or manager in the future, according to QPR Technical Director Chris Ramsey.

The 39-year-old Cochrane was appointed Head of Player Development and Coaching at Manchester United’s Academy in June, having previously been England’s Under-17s coach.

Prior to his time with the Football Association, he spent nine years at Tottenham, which is where he was mentored by Ramsey.

The 59-year-old told the TGG Podcast: “Justin is outstanding - he could be the best developer in the country. His personality is big and empathetic and he feels what the players are feeling.

“His game understanding of what is required is outstanding. He has a fantastic job now, but he should easily be a manager of a club. He’s got all the qualities, has coached top level players with the FA.

“He is primed to be an assistant in a formidable job or have his own (manager’s) job. When I worked with Justin he came in and was very open to what we wanted.

“As a modern-day coach that’s what you want - drive, empathetic, knowledgeable and ego-based on how many players he can produce for the game. He was also open-minded to understand where he fitted in within a team of coaches.”

Ramsey used to be Head of Player Development at Tottenham, with Cochrane as his assistant. The Manchester United man has previously spoken about the influence that Ramsey has had on his career.

“I still remember it now, my first day at Tottenham Hotspur and working with Chris Ramsey in the Academy,” Cochrane said. “That was the key moment for me, when I knew that coaching was the path I wanted to go down.

“Going back to that first day with Chris, he made it clear that it’s about developing an individual who can play within a team. What happens in a match in terms of results wasn’t necessarily the key or what we were looking for.”

England manager Gareth Southgate has described Cochrane as “a really excellent young coach.”