Shannon Ruth: the Brighton Under-21 manager who believes English coaches should learn abroad

Midfielder Hinshelwood has benefited from Ruth’s guidance at Brighton and the 19-year-old has been in close proximity to De Zerbi and Hurzeler.

Hinshelwood’s direct progression to first-team football was different to that of Caicedo, who had to move on a mortgage and play games for Ruth’s under-21s before being able to make it for the seniors and, eventually, a £115m walk. to Chelsea.

“Since I took over when Roberto arrived, not a day has gone by in which a youth player has not trained with our first team,” mentioned Ruth.

“Moving players back and forth is really normal here. We think it helps their development and helps them get closer to impacting our first team.”

Ruth would like to become a headteacher from time to time, but explained that coaches should not be in a “rush” to reserve senior positions.

“As a 21-year-old head coach, it’s a great education. You’re almost a filtered version of a senior coach,” Ruth mentioned.

“The fragments and challenges that might land on my desk are nowhere near what might land on Fabian’s.”

The prospect looks dazzling for both Brighton’s under-21s and their schoolteacher.

Ruth’s side sit second in the Premier League 2 table behind Manchester Town, having lost just one game.

The players are taking the opportunity to tease, knowing that a first-team career is possible.

“In the last four seasons we have had more players play professionally than we have released,” Ruth mentioned.

“The statistic of young players abandoning football is large, we know it. We are very proud that that is not the case. [at Brighton] and we are striving to challenge that statistic.”