'Very big career ahead': Portsmouth coaching departure earns praise for Fratton Park youth legacy
The former Aston Villa and Derby coach left Fratton Park last month after four years on the south coast
James Barlow is adamant Sam Hudson leaves Pompey with ‘a very big career’ ahead of him.
And he insists last month’s exit of the highly-regarded lead professional development phase coach reflects the talent within the Blues’ Academy set-up.
Upon the conclusion of last season, Hudson bid farewell after four years at Fratton Park to embark on a fresh challenge, although his destination has still to be announced.
Under-18s assistant coach Piero Mingoia has subsequently stepped up to fill the Pompey vacancy, having impressed Barlow since arriving from Watford’s Academy in the summer of 2024.
And Pompey’s Academy head has praised Hudson’s contribution during a period which saw Koby Mottoh and Tayo Singerr handed first-team opportunities.
‘He was fantastic, meticulous, tactically orientated’
Barlow told The News: ‘To be able to have someone like Sam for four years, I can only thank him for all the work he did do. He was a big part in the development of many players.
‘He was fantastic, meticulous, tactically orientated, loved the game, and you could really see that in terms of how he wanted to play the game.
‘I have known Sam for a long time and he is extremely young still and has a very big career in the game in player development.
‘The core he has is wanting to develop players, which is something which drives him on a day-to-day basis. That real enthusiasm and motivation rubs off on a lot of people.’
Arrived from Aston Villa
Pompey’s willingness to promote from within was also a pathway followed by Hudson.
He left Aston Villa’s Academy for the Blues in June 2022, taking up the role of under-18s assistant head coach and working alongside another new appointment in Zesh Rehman.
However, following Rehman’s permanent appointment in John Mousinho’s first-team backroom in March 2023, Hudson was installed as lead professional development phase coach.
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Barlow, a former Pompey season-ticket holder and ex-St John’s College pupil who hails from Southsea, had previously served as the Academy’s head of coaching.
Now the 33-year-old is challenged with overseeing the Blues’ youth production line.
‘It’s not just progressing players, but progressing staff as well’
He added: ‘What we really want is to celebrate people progressing in their careers and at Pompey it’s not just progressing players, but progressing staff as well.
‘I could share where every staff member has progressed to as opposed to left, which I think is a real nurturing point. As an academy, through my previous role as well, we want staff development and workforce development.
‘We know Pompey won’t always be the last place that everyone stops and has their full career at - and we wish to celebrate people’s tenures.’