Charlton Athletic coach Jason Pearce on his promotion last week – and taking advice from Newcastle boss Eddie Howe

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Jason Pearce landed a coaching promotion last week but the former Charlton Athletic centre-back is in no rush to realise his eventual goal of becoming a first-team manager.

The 35-year-old moved into the Addicks’ academy set-up after hanging up his boots at the end of the 2021-22 League One season.

Pearce started working with the U18s, initially as assistant to Danny Senda, before taking control when the former Millwall full-back replaced Hamza Serrar as U21 boss.

Pearce’s side reached the Professional Development League 2 national play-off final, winning the South title, but recently lost 6-5 on penalties to Barnsley at Oakwell.

The former Portsmouth and Wigan defender was appointed senior professional development phase coach on Wednesday, meaning he will oversee the technical and tactical development of Charlton players aged between 17 and 21, with Senda joining Dean Holden’s backroom team on a permanent basis.

Pearce is fully aware that he is learning a new trade after more than 500 matches as a player.

And a conversation with Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe, who he played under at AFC Bournemouth, further cemented that thought process.

“I know there is a process, for me, about how I want to become a manager,” Pearce told the South London Press.

“I have aspirations to be a manager at the highest level, but I look at some players who have come straight out of the game and gone into managerial roles and I don’t feel that is the way forward.

“When you jump straight from playing into managing in a first-team environment then you can’t really learn on the job. You don’t get the time to learn, reflect and then improve, because it is a ruthless, cut-throat business.

“I want to learn how to coach, how to deal with people and make mistakes but not get punished for that at a lower level. Then when an opportunity potentially arises in the future then I’ll look to take that.

“I spoke to Eddie Howe before I took the U18 role and asked his advice. He said: ‘Jase, take the U18 role but don’t rush into a first-team environment. You’ve got plenty of time to learn and reflect’. It’s something that I have listened to but that I had in my head, anyway. To have that reinforced by someone of his calibre was important to me.”

Pearce is looking to apply to go on the Pro License coaching course but the fact demand outstrips supply means that candidates normally get a knockback before they do get accepted.

“I felt like this first year has been a real learning curve for me,” he said. “I found myself quickly leading the group, which I didn’t expect, but I enjoyed it.

“I think at the start I was probably a little too friendly with the players and that was down to coming out of an environment where I was just with players. I now know I can’t be as close to the players as I could when I was an actual team-mate. I learned that pretty quickly.

“I’m very keen on having very good relationships with my players, it’s really important, but not too close where they overstep that line. It is a balance.

“Addressing players on a daily basis has been a good challenge because I have never done it. I’ve captained teams but that is not the same.

“The best managers and coaches are the ones who can teach you the game the best – they don’t expect the players to know what they are talking about.

“When I first came out of playing I was trying to just tell them what to do and expecting them to know it. Now, after reflection over a number of months, I understand that I’m really having to teach them the game. I feel like I’m beginning to get there. I’ve got a way I’d like the team to play and it’s implementing that style and helping to evolve both the players and myself. It’s been really positive in the amount of players who have got professional contracts.

“I’m quite fortunate to have inherited a group of talented players.”

Pearce knew a year ago that if he wanted to continue playing then it would be away from SE7.

Charlton made clear that only a coaching role was available if he wanted to extend his connection.

“The only time I’ve missed playing is when I’ve been to our games and the team has been struggling,” he said. “I feel then like I want to get out there and help them, but when they’ve done well I’m just buzzing to watch them – a lot of the players I know and it’s nice to see them doing well in some matches.

“I’m the sort of person that once I’ve made a decision to do something then I stick by it and have no regrets.”

Nathan Asiimwe, Toby Bower, Ollie Hobden and Chibike Okechukwu have all signed professional deals after the U18s won the PDL 2 South title for a third straight season.

“It has been a special group,” said Pearce. “We had a few little dips but always seemed to turn it around in the next game.

“It’s important for youngsters that they are not winning every game because they need to learn how to take the positives but also the development areas.

“If you’re winning all the time then you can sometimes overlook certain things.

“When I took over we were third in the league, so there was still a lot of work to do. I’m quite keen on setting a culture and making sure all the little percentages are done properly so that no stone gets left unturned.

“I know how important those little bits can be when it comes to making the difference in becoming a professional or winning a football game. I try to teach that at a younger age.

“We went to the wire with Barnsley and I felt the best team lost. But it is what it is and we’ll learn from it.”

Pearce has been a mentor to the likes of Deji Elerewe, Zach Mitchell, Henry Rylah and Asiimwe.

“It’s the reason I do it – to try and have an impact on the young players’ career, to help them on their way,” he said. “I’ve had a career in the game and experienced it – I’ve seen it, done it and worn the T-shirt – now it is about giving back.

“It’s fantastic to see so many coming through. I like to think if you spoke to any of them they would give positive feedback about the relationship I’ve got with them. I’ve always been very honest with the players, whether that be good or bad. It’s important to be open and transparent – that earns respect both ways.

“I’m very self-critical, after every game and training session I’ll look at what I could do better or differently. As soon as you don’t reflect then you’re going to go downhill – because it means you’re happy with where you are. I’ll always want to strive to be better.

“That’s the same for the players. At the start of next season we will sit down with them and come up with targets and where they want to get to.

“I’ve already sat down with my coaches and staff on how we can improve the department moving forward.”

MAIN PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS