MEET THE COACHES
MICHAEL O'BRIEN
Having been involved with junior football in Ealing through Will to Win since 2014. I helped to develop and expand their program from Saturday morning drop-in sessions to holiday classes, before forming Ealing United in 2016 as an independent amateur sports club, taking up the role of Chairman (and Coach). I have previously coached abroad in India and Malaysia before roles at Queens Park Rangers and most recently as Performance Analyst for the first team at AFC Wimbledon, alongside my grassroots work. I hold a UEFA B license, Youth Award Level 3 and a MSc in Performance Football Coaching from St Mary’s University.
As a coach, I value a mastery of technical skills to develop confident and inventive players comfortable in possession. I think it’s important to create a challenging and engaging environment for players, encouraging their problem solving skills that most importantly for me, helps to develop players who are effective decision makers with and without the ball.
Favourite team: AFC Wimbledon
Favourite player: Robbie Earle
DANIEL BADA
I started my football coaching journey at Ealing United, as a newly qualified FA Level 1 coach, in January 2020. I also coach at Queens Park Rangers' Advanced Development Programme.
Through coaching, my aim is to facilitate the development of: confident, intelligent and technical players in a fun environment - independent thinkers that are solution focused both on and off the pitch.
Favourite team: Manchester United
Favourite player: Luka Modric
STAN CARGILL
My football coaching career started here at Ealing United. I qualified as a FA level 1 coach in September 2017. I am currently at university in the States on a football scholarship studying exercise science. On completion of my degree, I plan to do further coaching qualifications.
My first aim when coaching is for the young players to develop new talents and skill sets, such as communication alongside the ability to be independent whilst playing in a team effectively. It is important that the skills are used both on and off the pitch. Secondly, my aim is to develop players that are expressive on the ball, problem solvers and have the determination to be successful.
Favourite team: Tottenham Hotspur
Favourite player: Harry Kane
RORY KNIBBS
I began coaching football in the summer of 2021, helping with Brentford FCCST's community summer development programmes. Since then I've been part of Arsenal's coach development programme, where I gained my FA Level 1, before starting coaching with Ealing United in October 2021.
My aim when coaching is to create a fun and engaging environment that all players feel comfortable in. I focus on game-based activities that allow players to problem solve in realistic environments and to create opportunities for players to express themselves.
Favourite team: Newcastle United
Favourite player: Bruno Guimaraes