Jack Cork reveals the secrets of Burnley's promotion push, his role in producing their next wave of stars and how Scott Parker has taken them to the next level

Jack Cork Transitions from Burnley Pitch to Sideline as Under 21 Assistant Manager

Last August, veteran midfielder Jack Cork faced a turning point in his career, prompting a significant shift from playing to coaching. Following his departure from Burnley after seven seasons and a limited role in their 2023-24 Premier League relegation campaign, Cork initially sought to continue his playing career. However, as opportunities on the pitch dwindled, he activated his contingency plan: leveraging his Uefa B coaching license. An opportune call from his former club Burnley presented him with the assistant manager role for the Under 21s, an offer Cork eagerly accepted.

From Playing Frustrations to Coaching Fulfillment

“It was a challenging period,” Cork admitted to Mail Sport from Burnley’s training facility. “The phone wasn’t ringing, and my playing aspirations weren’t materializing as hoped.”

“I grew tired of waiting,” he continued. “I missed being involved, and coaching was always a path I intended to pursue.”

Cork, who amassed 267 appearances for Burnley across his permanent tenure and earlier loan spells, officially commenced his coaching duties in October and has embraced the new chapter.

Nurturing Young Talent at Burnley

Cork has been welcomed into his role and is now mentoring a promising group of young players at Burnley, a club historically not renowned for its academy production, although Dwight McNeil stands out as a notable exception in recent years.

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Talented youngsters like Owen Dodgson and Dara Costelloe are currently gaining valuable experience on loan at Burton Albion and Northampton, respectively. Meanwhile, Joe Bauress and Tommy McDermott are among the academy prospects who have been given first-team opportunities in cup competitions this season.

Given his distinguished playing background, including progressing through Chelsea’s esteemed academy and a career spanning 589 club appearances over 18 seasons, capped by an England appearance against Germany in 2017, Cork is ideally positioned to guide these young athletes.

Retirement from Playing and Embracing Coaching

“I believe my playing days are over,” the 35-year-old stated, whose father Alan was a member of Wimbledon’s ‘Crazy Gang’. “I felt I could have contributed more on the pitch last season.”

“However, circumstances evolved, and transitioning into coaching felt like the right decision. While pursuing playing at a lower level was an option, this opportunity at Burnley, at this time, felt like the perfect entry point into coaching,” Cork explained.

“Witnessing these young players develop and progress brings immense satisfaction. It’s a different kind of fulfillment, moving from solely focusing on your own game to now supporting and guiding others, seeing them take strides into the first team is truly rewarding.”

Dude Perfect International Youth Cup: Fostering Young Footballing Talent

Cork spoke to Mail Sport in his capacity as a representative of the Dude Perfect International Youth Cup, a three-day Under 12 tournament hosted by Burnley’s academy.

This prestigious youth tournament attracts some of the world’s leading clubs, providing young players with invaluable exposure to high-level competitive football. Last year, Juventus secured the primary competition title, while Burnley triumphed over Valencia 7-1 in the plate final.

This year’s edition, scheduled from May 30th to June 1st, has already confirmed the participation of Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, and FC Dallas, with Cork expressing his enthusiasm for the event.

Elevating Burnley’s Academy Through International Competition

“This tournament is exceptionally beneficial for our young players, especially as a Category Two academy,” Cork emphasized. “Competing against international teams such as AC Milan, Juventus, and Chelsea elevates the experience and fosters a sense of participation in a significant event.”

“Providing these young athletes with such exposure, enabling them to interact and learn from peers from diverse cultures and footballing nations, while competing against varied styles of play, is incredibly valuable for both the players and our coaching staff.”

Collaboration with Burnley First Team Manager Scott Parker

Cork’s role at Turf Moor involves close collaboration with Burnley’s first-team manager, Scott Parker, including attending daily staff meetings covering a range of topics impacting the club.

Parker’s team, currently enjoying a 28-game unbeaten league run and only two defeats throughout the season, are intensely engaged in the automatic promotion race. The Clarets are currently positioned second in the Championship table, narrowly behind Leeds on goal difference and two points ahead of Sheffield United, setting the stage for a thrilling finale with five games remaining.

“I predict they will secure promotion,” Cork asserted. “They are a formidable team, possessing all the necessary attributes for Premier League promotion. The outcome largely hinges on the performances of Sheffield United and Leeds.”

Insights into First-Team Discussions and Training

Regarding his discussions with Parker, Cork detailed, “We discuss training sessions, their content, potential Under 21 player involvement, and he regularly seeks my evaluations on which young players are performing well. He occasionally asks about Under 21 games and my insights. It’s valuable to be included in these dialogues, showing his inclusive approach.”

“I am thoroughly enjoying this vantage point. He is incredibly meticulous, attentive to detail, dedicated, and commands the respect of the players.”

Burnley’s Premier League Promotion Push and Defensive Prowess

Cork’s extensive knowledge of the Burnley squad from his playing career provides unique insights into their promotion campaign, although he maintains a professional distance.

“I intentionally avoid the canteen as much as possible,” he joked. “I prefer to maintain a fresh perspective and avoid getting too engrossed in player anecdotes. I connect with a few players occasionally via phone or messaging, but generally limit canteen interactions.”

Burnley’s quest for Premier League return has been significantly fueled by their exceptional defensive record, having achieved 29 clean sheets and conceded a mere 12 goals in 41 league matches. How have they achieved such defensive solidity?

“It’s rooted in relentless repetition and dedicated training,” Cork explained. “The attention to detail is extraordinary. They are drilled on precise positioning, timing of movements, pressing triggers, and when to hold back. The defensive structure is incredibly organized and robust, reflecting the consistent hard work invested each week.”

Championship Promotion Expertise

Should Parker seek guidance during this crucial run-in, Cork offers a wealth of experience to draw upon.

Coupled with his extensive Premier League experience and participation in Team GB’s London 2012 Olympic squad, Cork has firsthand knowledge of achieving Championship promotion. He secured a league title under Vincent Kompany in 2022-23 and previously gained promotion with Southampton in 2011-12.

“The foundation for success is built off the pitch,” he noted. “Team camaraderie and mutual trust are crucial. In my experience with successful teams, these factors have been key drivers.”

“Victories breed positive momentum throughout the club, creating an unstoppable atmosphere. It’s like a powerful force that takes hold, propelling the season forward, provided the hard work is maintained.”

Offering advice to Parker, Cork simply stated, “Maintain the current course. I wouldn’t advocate any changes. Continue to trust the process, and the desired outcomes will follow.”

Reflections on a Premier League Career and Future Coaching Aspirations

Reflecting on his recent transition from playing – his last Premier League appearance was less than a year ago – Cork acknowledges the rapid shift in his career. Having played 304 top-flight games, has he had time to contemplate his achievements?

“It feels surreal,” he admitted. “When you’re immersed in it, everything merges together. Upon finishing playing, looking back, it was quite overwhelming.”

“It’s been an incredible journey. Stepping into coaching and observing the talent of young players, and also recognizing the limited opportunities available, underscored how fortunate I’ve been to have the career I did.”

For now, Cork is focused on his coaching trajectory, committed to the same dedication and approach that defined his impressive playing career, which began at Chelsea at age nine and concluded at Turf Moor after 26 years.

“I intend to work diligently, with utmost effort every day, give my all, and see where this path leads,” he concluded. “I may find immense satisfaction in it, or perhaps not, but I am committed to exploring this new chapter.”

Click here to access free tickets to the Dude Perfect International Youth Cup taking place in Burnley from 30th May.

Birmingham City’s League One Triumph: A Testament to Investment and Teamwork

While Birmingham City’s League One promotion, secured with six games to spare, might seem anticipated given their significant summer investment exceeding £25 million and a squad capable of competing at the Championship’s upper echelons, Chris Davies’ team deserves substantial recognition.

Birmingham have arguably become the most dominant League One team in history, amassing an exceptional 95 points from 40 games and on track to surpass Wolves’ record 103-point haul from the 2013-14 season.

Davies has cultivated an extraordinary team. It’s important to remember that League One has historically been a challenging league for large clubs, with Sunderland, Ipswich, Nottingham Forest, and Leeds all spending multiple seasons to escape its grasp. Achieving promotion in the first attempt is a noteworthy accomplishment.

This promotion likely marks just the beginning of Birmingham’s resurgence, with potential for further success as they aim for an EFL Trophy final victory against Peterborough, seeking a double title win.

Stevenage FC’s Kids Takeover Day: Junior Fans Steal the Social Media Show

Stevenage FC’s recent match against Crawley Town provided a heartwarming moment with their annual Kids Takeover event.

Eight junior club members were given the unique opportunity to shadow crucial matchday roles, ranging from mini-kit manager and mini-chairman to mini-manager and even mini-referee.

However, the day’s standout star was eight-year-old Cooper, who served as the mini-social media administrator, with several of his match updates going viral.

A quick look at the club’s X (formerly Twitter) feed is highly recommended, showcasing posts like “Brandon Hanlan nearly scores unlucky” and “Dan Kemp accidentally got hit in the head,” which unexpectedly garnered hundreds of thousands of views.

One particular tweet, “We can’t get out the our box,” resonated deeply with football fans far and wide, accumulating over 1.2 million impressions.

Fortunately for Stevenage, and Cooper, they eventually emerged from their defensive box and secured a 3-1 victory, solidifying their mid-table position in League One. Credit to Stevenage for creating an unforgettable day for these eight young fans.