Former Nottingham Forest academy chief Gary Brazil has been appointed as the head of men’s recruitment and retention for the England national football team. In his new role, Brazil will be responsible for identifying potential future international players at all age groups, including the senior side under manager Gareth Southgate. One of his main objectives will be to ensure that England does not lose talented players with dual-nationality to other countries, by highlighting them as future England players ahead of any rivals. Additionally, Brazil will have an influence on the overall scouting network within the England set-up.
Having worked for more than a decade at the Nigel Doughty Academy, Brazil played a crucial role in the development of several talented players such as Matty Cash, Ben Brereton Diaz, Joe Worrall, Brennan Johnson, Ryan Yates, and Ben Osborn. Under his guidance, Nottingham Forest’s under-21 side reached the final of the Premier League Two play-offs last season, while the under-18 side reached the final of the FA Youth Cup in 2022, narrowly losing to Manchester United.
Brazil’s departure from Nottingham Forest came at the end of his contract, which was not renewed. The club’s recently appointed chief football officer, Ross Wilson, is leading a restructuring of the football infrastructure at the City Ground. As part of this restructuring, Craig Mulholland has been appointed as the head of football development, and Chris McGuane, formerly Brazil’s assistant, will be promoted to a more senior role.
Despite his disappointment at leaving Forest, Brazil has quickly found a new opportunity with the Football Association. In his new role, he will help identify the next generation of players who will follow in the footsteps of England stars such as Harry Kane, John Stones, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka.
The positive impact of Wilson and Mulholland’s appointments at Nottingham Forest has been evident in a short period of time. The club has focused on addressing the injury problems that plagued Steve Cooper’s side last season, resulting in one of the worst injury records in the top flight. The recent appointment of Jon Fearn, a former Chelsea physiotherapist with over three decades of experience in elite football, highlights the club’s commitment to improving player fitness and reducing injuries. Fearn worked with 11 different managers during his 13-year tenure at Stamford Bridge, contributing to the club’s success in winning 12 major trophies.
Alek Gross, formerly Southampton’s head of sports science and first-team fitness coach, has also joined Nottingham Forest as the head of performance. This addition further strengthens the club’s focus on optimizing player performance and physical conditioning. Additionally, Adam Burrows, another former Chelsea staff member, has been appointed as the new head of strength and conditioning.
Gary Brazil’s appointment as the head of men’s recruitment and retention for England is a significant development for the national team. With his wealth of experience in player development and scouting, Brazil will play a crucial role in identifying and nurturing future international players. His expertise will be instrumental in ensuring that England maintains a strong talent pool and remains competitive on the international stage.