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 tasks 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.
Brazil, who had three spells as caretaker manager at Nottingham Forest, worked for over a decade at the Nigel Doughty Academy, where he played a crucial role in the development of players like Matty Cash, Ben Brereton Diaz, Joe Worrall, Brennan Johnson, Ryan Yates, and Ben Osborn. During his time at Forest, the under-21 side reached the final of the Premier League Two play-offs, 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 has recently undergone a restructuring of its football infrastructure, led by newly appointed chief football officer Ross Wilson. As part of this restructuring, Craig Mulholland, who previously worked with Wilson at Glasgow Rangers, has been appointed as the head of football development. Chris McGuane, formerly Brazil’s assistant, will also 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 play a crucial part in identifying and nurturing the next generation of talented players who will follow in the footsteps of stars like Harry Kane, John Stones, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka.
Nottingham Forest has also made significant appointments to strengthen its football staff. Jon Fearn, the former Chelsea physiotherapist with more than three decades of experience in elite football, has joined the club. Fearn spent 13 years at Stamford Bridge, working with 11 different managers and 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 Forest as the head of performance. Additionally, Adam Burrows, another former Chelsea staff member, has been appointed as the new head of strength and conditioning.
The restructuring at Nottingham Forest, led by Wilson and Mulholland, aims to address the injury problems that plagued the team last season. The club suffered one of the worst injury records in the top flight, and the new appointments are expected to bring fresh ideas and expertise to improve the team’s performance and player welfare.
In conclusion, Gary Brazil’s appointment as the head of men’s recruitment and retention for England is a significant move that highlights his expertise in identifying and nurturing talented players. His role will be crucial in ensuring that England does not lose potential international players to other countries and in strengthening the scouting network within the England set-up. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest’s restructuring of its football infrastructure, including key appointments in coaching and performance staff, demonstrates the club’s commitment to improving its on-field performance and player welfare.