Fuller close to getting UEFA B coaching licence

Former national striker Ricardo Fuller says he is very close to fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a certified coach. He is now in the final stages of obtaining his UEFA B licence in England.

Fuller, who presented Stoke City in the English Premier League between 2012 to 2006, told The Sunday Gleaner that he is aiming to complete his final assessment next month at Stoke City's training facility.

"I have one more assessment to go and I am just waiting on the English FA, because they have dates that we have to do it, and I think the next date is in October," said Fuller.

"However, I am trying to get this final assessment at Stoke City, because once you have the facility and you have the players, then you can arrange your own assessment, and so that is what I am working on," he said.

"Stoke had wanted me to be involved with the club from last year, but I had any things to take care of, and I was relying on the English FA for this assessment, but they are dragging their feet at the moment," Fuller said.

The UEFA B Licence is one level below the UEFA A Licence and allows holders to be head coaches of men's amateur clubs, youths up to age 16, and assistant coaches for professional clubs.

Fuller pointed that after completing his coaching qualifications, he would like to work with the national programme.

"That is part of the aim because I want to be part of the set-up," said Fuller. "I want to come back home and give my best and to help my country to quality for every World Cup," he said.

"We have really underachieved with the talent that we have over the years, including myself," said Fuller, who netted 10 goals in 77 appearances for the Reggae Boyz.

REMAINED ACTIVE

The 38-year-old Fuller added that since his retirement from the sport a few years ago, he has remained active in the game because he has doing a bit of work as an agent.

"I did a bit of agent work with Darrell Powell. He is a full-time agent, and Rodolph Austin is one of our links. He is playing in Denmark, but is injured at the moment," he said.

"Daniel Johnson is another player in our outfit. He is currently playing for Preston North End," Fuller stated.

Johnson, 25, is a Jamaica-born footballer who plays for Preston North End as a midfielder. He had previously played for Aston Villa.