Written by
Jake Mahon
November 20, 2024
Goalkeeping coach Henrique Hilario and Head of Performance Analysis James Melbourne have both left Chelsea to reunite with Thomas Tuchel as part of England’s backroom staff.
The duo had a combined 27 years of service at Stamford Bridge and worked with Tuchel from January 2021 to September 2022, helping the Blues win the 2022 Champions League.
The German was appointed England Head Coach last month and officially begins work with them on January 1st. He has already added Englishman Anthony Barry, his Assistant at Chelsea and Bayern Munich, to his staff.
Melbourne joined Chelsea from Prozone in May 2005 and is the longest-serving member of backroom staff at the club. His role has involved providing video and statistical analysis support to the first-team manager, coaches, staff and players, as well as preparing detailed videos, information and reports on opponents.
In total, he’s worked with 14 permanent managers during his time at Stamford Bridge – Jose Mourinho (in two spells), Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Carlo Ancelotti, Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto di Matteo, Rafa Benitez, Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri, Frank Lampard, Tuchel, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea recently advertised for the Head of Performance Analysis role on TGG, specifying someone who would “lead the men’s first-team performance analysis department, reporting to the Sporting Directors and working closely with the Head Coach and coaching staff” to “provide in-depth analysis and insight on matches and players that can influence coaching and drive high performance.”
The advert closed on November 7th.
Hilario (pictured) also has an established history with the club, as both a coach and player, over the course of 16 years at Chelsea. The 49-year-old joined as a player in 2006, signed as a back-up goalkeeper by compatriot Mourinho. He made 39 appearances in eight years and rejoined two years after his retirement in 2016 as Assistant Goalkeeper Coach under Conte.
The Portuguesewas open to remaining at the club while working with England, but this request to job-share was turned down by Chelsea.
"We are happy to keep people who want to stay. If they want to go, they can go."
Enzo Maresca, October 2024
Speaking last month, Maresca admitted he was aware of the FA’s interest in his two staff and said he would not stand in their way should they express a desire to leave.
“I know that one of them has been approached, one of the analysts,” the Italian said. “The other one, Hilario, I heard something but there has not been any approach yet.”
Maresca brought in his own Goalkeeping Coach, Michele De Bernardin, when he was appointed as Head Coach in the summer. The duo had previously worked together at both Parma and Leicester.
Tuchel is set to name further backroom staff as neither Ashley Cole nor Joleon Lescott, who were part of Lee Carsley’s interim set-up, will be staying on.
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