Edu Rubio

Excited to announce the latest episode of the CoachCraft Podcast, a fascinating behind-the-scenes conversation with UEFA Pro Coach Edu Rubio on his journey from Spanish youth academies to the Premier League, where he most recently served as assistant manager at Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United.

Edu brings a unique perspective to coaching, having spent nearly two decades in English football after making the move from Barcelona to London at just 21 years old. From coaching under-8s at Valencia CF’s academy to working alongside Julen Lopetegui in the Premier League, he's experienced every level of the game and understands what goes into developing both players and winning cultures.

Having worked in academy football, first-team environments, as well as women's professional soccer, Edu offers refreshingly honest insights into the human side of coaching at elite levels. His emphasis on authenticity over ego and collaboration over individual brilliance provides valuable lessons for coaches at any level.

Whether you're coaching at the grassroots or aspiring to work at higher levels, you'll find this episode filled with practical wisdom about building culture, managing personalities, and creating environments where players can reach their potential. As Edu says throughout our conversation, the principles of great coaching—authenticity, humility, and putting the team first—transcend any single level of the game.

Takeaways

• Authenticity is crucial for effective coaching.

• The balance between development and results is essential.

• Understanding the culture of a new club is vital.

• Feedback should always be constructive and focused on improvement.

• In-game communication requires clarity and precision.

• Halftime talks are where professional coaches earn their money.

• Building a cohesive coaching staff is key to success.

• Players need to feel they belong to perform at their best.

• Self-awareness is important for coaches to understand their impact.

• Coaching is as much about managing people as it is about tactics.

Selected Links and Resources

• Valencia CF Academy - where Edu started coaching under-8s, 9s, and 10s

• Julen Lopetegui - Edu's mentor and former boss at Wolves and West Ham

• UEFA Pro License - the highest coaching qualification Edu completed in Spain

• Crystal Palace - where Edu worked as head of methodology

• West Ham Women's team (WSL) - Edu served as assistant manager

• Wolverhampton Wanderers - Edu served as a 1st team coach

• West Ham United - Edu's most recent role as a 1st team coach

• Arne Slot at Liverpool FC - example of successful managerial transition

• Pep Guardiola - discussed regarding touchline communication methods

• Arsenal Home Dressing Room - referenced for halftime environment design

• Individual Development Plans (IDPs) - player development methodology

• Giovanni Trapattoni - "A good manager makes a team 10% better, a bad manager makes it 30% worse"

• Max Kilman - highlighted as exceptionally technical center-back

• Johan Cruyff - major influence on Edu's coaching philosophy

• Paulo Coelho books - recommended for self-awareness and coaching development

Follow Edu at https://x.com/coachedurubio and https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachedurubio/.

The CoachCraft Podcast