After spending seven seasons at Burnley, Jack Cork knew that his time at the club was coming to an end.
His last season at Burnley in 2023-24 was a tough one, with Cork featuring only six times as the club was relegated from the Premier League.
Despite this setback, Cork wasn’t ready to walk away from football just yet.
But as the months passed and no new offers came in, Cork found himself reconsidering his next move.
Turning to Coaching Amidst Uncertainty
By the end of August, Cork’s future seemed uncertain. While waiting for a playing opportunity, Cork had already begun working towards a new career in coaching, earning his Uefa B coaching license.
When Burnley reached out with the chance to assist the Under-21s, Cork saw it as the perfect opportunity.
“It was a difficult period really,” Cork admitted. “The phone wasn’t ringing, and it wasn’t going the way you want it to go.
I was fed up waiting and I missed being around the place. Coaching is something I’ve always wanted to get into.”
A New Chapter at Burnley
Since October, Cork has been working with Burnley’s Under-21s, and he’s been enjoying every moment of it.
The 35-year-old has become a mentor for a new generation of players, including promising talents like Owen Dodgson and Dara Costelloe, who are gaining valuable experience out on loan.
He’s also overseeing younger players such as Joe Bauress and Tommy McDermott, who’ve had opportunities in the club’s cup matches this season.
Cork’s own impressive career makes him the ideal mentor.
Having come through Chelsea’s academy, playing for top clubs like Southampton and Swansea City, and earning 589 club appearances, Cork is in a unique position to help the next wave of footballing talent.
Pride in Coaching Young Talents
For Cork, stepping away from playing has been bittersweet. “I think I’m done playing,” he said.
“But it just felt right to go into coaching.
I could have chased playing at a lower level, but this is the right place and time to start coaching.”
Working with Burnley’s academy players, Cork has found a new sense of pride.
“You get a huge amount of pride seeing these youngsters develop,” he shared.
“It’s a different feeling because you spend so long as a footballer worrying about yourself and the team, and then to see someone you’re working with every day take that step into the first team is great.”
The Dude Perfect International Youth Cup and a Global Experience
Cork’s current role also sees him involved in exciting events, like the Dude Perfect International Youth Cup.
This three-day tournament, hosted by Burnley, brings top academy teams together, including giants like Juventus and Chelsea.
Cork is thrilled about the exposure it provides for Burnley’s young players, particularly since the club’s academy is currently Category Two, making the opportunity to compete on a global stage incredibly valuable.
“This is really good for our lads,” Cork explained.
“To play teams like AC Milan, Juventus, and Chelsea makes it feel like you’re part of something big.”
The event, running from May 30 to June 1, not only provides players with a chance to compete against high-level teams but also offers them the chance to learn from international peers and experience different footballing cultures.
Burnley’s Automatic Promotion Push and the Role of Team Spirit
As Cork works alongside Burnley manager Scott Parker, the team’s push for automatic promotion to the Premier League is in full swing.
The Clarets are currently second, sitting just behind Leeds on goal difference, with five games left to play.
Cork, who knows many of the players from his time at the club, believes they’re in a strong position to go up.
“I think they’ll get the job done,” Cork said confidently.
“They’ve got everything you need to go up in this league.”
While Cork keeps his distance from the squad, he enjoys the chance to contribute to the team’s progress, offering advice on Under-21 players and discussing match strategies with Parker.
“He’s spot on,” Cork said of Parker. “He doesn’t miss a detail, works really hard, and all the lads love him.”
Burnley’s Remarkable Defense and Promotion Insights
Burnley’s strong promotion push has been built on an impressive defense. With 29 clean sheets and just 12 goals conceded in 41 games, Cork attributes the team’s solid defensive record to their consistent training. “It’s just repetition and training,” he explained.
“They know exactly where to be, when to press, and when not to press. It’s so organised and solid.”
As a player with significant experience in both the Premier League and Championship, Cork knows what it takes to secure promotion.
Having been part of a championship-winning team with Vincent Kompany in 2022-23, he understands the importance of team spirit and trust off the pitch.
“When you start winning, the feeling it generates around the club makes it feel unstoppable,” Cork shared.
Reflecting on a Remarkable Career
While Cork’s transition into coaching has been rewarding, he can’t help but reflect on his playing days. “It’s strange,” he said.
“When you’re in it, it all rolls into one. But when I finished, I looked back and thought, ‘Wow, that was crazy.’”
Now, Cork is focused on giving everything he can to his new role, working hard each day to see where his coaching career will take him.
“I’m going to work hard, give everything, and see where it takes me,” he said. “I might enjoy it, I might not, and we’ll go from there.”
Birmingham’s Outstanding Performance Despite Heavy Spending
Over in League One, Birmingham City have been making headlines with their impressive promotion campaign.
Despite spending over £25 million on new signings in the summer, it’s important to remember that this achievement goes beyond just financial outlay.
Under manager Chris Davies, Birmingham have been a force to be reckoned with, accumulating an impressive 95 points from 40 games and looking set to surpass Wolves’ record of 103 points.
Their success serves as a reminder that, even with big spending, it’s the team’s performance and consistency that matter the most.
Stevenage’s Memorable Kids Takeover and Viral Social Media Moment
Finally, a wholesome moment from Stevenage’s recent clash against Crawley captured the hearts of fans.
As part of the club’s annual Kids Takeover event, eight young fans had the chance to shadow key roles during the match.
One young participant, eight-year-old Cooper, took on the role of mini-social media admin.
Cooper’s tweets, including one about a player’s close miss and another about a player accidentally getting hit in the head, quickly went viral.
The highlight, however, was a tweet that gained over 1.2 million impressions: “We can’t get out of our box.”
Thanks to Stevenage’s 3-1 win, Cooper’s social media efforts helped to stabilize the team’s position in mid-table.
It’s a moment these young fans will certainly never forget.