Former Chelsea coach named Director of Fitness for Saudi Pro League

Former Chelsea coach named Director of Fitness for Saudi Pro League

Written by

Simon Austin

November 14, 2024

Former Chelsea Fitness Coach Will Tullett has been appointed Director of Fitness at the Saudi Pro League.

In August, TGG revealed that Tullett was leaving the West London club after 21 years. Now he is taking on an “exciting challenge” with the Saudi Pro League.

There is already a strong Chelsea influence within the SP. Michael Emenalo, who was Technical Director at Stamford Bridge from 2007 to 2017, is now the League’s Director of Football.

Tim Harkness, who was the Blues’ Head Of Sports Science and Psychology from 2009 to 2023, was appointed as the SPL’s Head of Sporting Affairs in January. 

Writing on LinkedIn, Tullett said: “After 21 years, I made the decision to move on from Chelsea to a new challenge and adventure both personally and professionally.

“I feel incredibly lucky to be able to make this decision independently to bring my time with the club to an end. As I reflect, what a time it has been! To work across medical, physical and coaching groups at every level from Under-8 to Men’s First Team has been a joy. 

“Within this time to be up close and personal to see team success in nearly every youth and subsequently senior trophy possible is an honour and to perhaps have played some small part fills me with a lot of pride. But the time to move was right. 

“I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Director of Fitness at the Saudi Pro League. An exciting challenge that I can’t wait to experience.”

Saudi Pro League’s PACE Programme

Harkness’s role with the Saudi Pro League involves “supporting implementation of the PACE Programme” and “managing oversight and development of SPL clubs’ full technical programmes.”

PACE stands for Player Acquisition Centre of Excellence and is designed to help clubs manage foreign players and build competitive squads. There are seven steps: budget allocation, technical needs, international talent scouting, player data analysis, transfer and negotiation governance, player contract sales and player and family adaptation.

TGG reported in September that Jes Buster Madsen, a world expert on the application of cognitive neuroscience in football, had been appointed Director of Football and Data Science for the SPL.

Madsen was our guest on Episode 56 of the TGG Podcast.

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