Former fans' favourite Lee Cattermole has spoken about his time at Sunderland following his retirement from the beautiful game, the tough tackling former central midfielder is now making his move into coaching with Middlesbrough's academy, where he started out himself.
TIME AT SAFC
“I had some wonderful times at Sunderland and remember good and bad throughout my career, I remember us beating Chelsea on a Saturday and then Everton on a Wednesday one season and the noise was such that the referee couldn’t hear himself talking to the linesmen. They’re the things you need to remember. Somebody told me I played with 155 players in 10 seasons, which is averaging more than 15 a season, It was difficult to keep reinventing the environment, getting the togetherness. We tended to finish seasons strong, lose players and then have to rebuild it. And trust is huge within a dressing room - you need to trust each other and the staff as well. I’ve used that and will have learned from stuff I’ve seen, good and bad.”
STEP INTO COACHING
“Most players have this idea of playing to 35, but I got to a point where I thought, ‘just be brave and make the decision you think is right.’ And I’ve not looked back. I’ve absolutely loved the transition into coaching and haven’t regretted it for a second. Some of the coaches I’d worked with had a chuckle when I told them and said, ‘you’ll be putting your boots back on soon,’ but I’ve really enjoyed it. I’m not interested in that one bit. It’s not only about my career as a coach now, it’s about the careers of the players I’m working with too. They’ve only got one opportunity and I don’t want to do them a disservice. I really want to give them the best chance and the best information I can. I feel I’m back to school now, back to the start. I need to know I can improve players, not only with the style of play, but individually. Being in and around the Academy gives me less pressure and also the opportunity to.”
