Two Chelsea Football Club Foundation Coaching and Development graduates from St Mary's University, Twickenham (SMU) have acquired prestigious roles working at two of London’s top football academies.
Alex Devaney and Ivan Ambrosio, who graduated from St Mary's in 2024, have both moved into roles at Crystal Palace FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC. These are both recognised as Category 1 Academies within the Premier League structure.
Both students initially joined St Mary's to study the FdSc Chelsea FC Coaching and Development degree before opting to stay and complete their third year of study, earning a BSc qualification.
The course allows students to study a wide variety of modules that gives a unique insight into the world of football, as well as utilising the placement programme to support their development.
Speaking on his time at St Mary's, Ivan said, "This degree completely changed my life. It helped me to understand why I do what I do, and it shaped my thoughts and my career in professional football. After two years of placement experience, I had the opportunity to secure a job at Crystal Palace Academy. This is one of the best coaching degrees around."
Alex’s role is away from coaching exclusively, where he is now utilising his understanding of the analysis process to support both players and coaches at Tottenham Hotspur FC. Alex spoke highly of the degree, stating, “Learning at St Mary’s, from the lecturers who have vital insights into the academy football world, was pivotal for me and my career progression.
"Learning from placements and building relationships through the course is something that has had a major impact on my journey so far and has helped me acquire my role at Tottenham."
Both these success stories highlight the University's commitment to student employability and securing roles within the industry after graduation.
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