[funkdoctorspock]

Didn't even realize this happened.

Apparently, his fitness methods are top notch.

... United’s preparations for the new season have also been boosted by the signing of Tony Strudwick, a highly regarded fitness coach, whom they have enticed from Blackburn Rovers. This development follows the abrupt and acrimonious departure of Valter di Salvo, the United fitness coach, to Real Madrid last month – but United have moved quickly to replace him, with Strudwick having begun his new job on Saturday.

Blackburn, for their part, are understood to be disappointed by the timing of the man Mark Hughes, the manager, credits with turning his squad into the fittest in the top flight, but the clubs are working on a compensation package that would at least go some way towards smoothing relations with their rivals in the North West.
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[dimz]

So that's how blackburn seemed to be running all game! Good signing for us if he's the centre of all that. Can't wait to see Rooney and Tevez under his prolonged influence!

[dada]

Yea, if this guy is that good maybe he can work his magic fingers with Saha.

[funkdoctorspock]

imagine if Saha was United's new fitness coach...

seriously, apparently this guy's strength is programs to aid those coming back from injury spells... so maybe United poached him to help Saha.

fyi, apparently Blackburn had the fittest team in the prem.
No wonder they're pissed that United snapped him up...

[dimz]

Wow, if he can keep Saha fit for the season...

[funkdoctorspock]

update on this...

UNITED'S ability to last the pace physically and mentally is in the hands of Old Trafford newcomer Tony Strudwick.

He has replaced Valter di Salvo as fitness coach following the Italian's move to Real Madrid this summer.

Di Salvo was on gardening leave from the Reds while the clubs agreed a compensation package.

After a three-year career running the rule over Sir Alex Ferguson's squad, Di Salvo has finally been allowed to officially become part of the Bernabeu set up.

Strudwick stepped in during the summer to take the reins and produce a fighting force capable of tackling United's usual marathon campaign at home and abroad.

He has recently completed a PhD in sports science at Liverpool John Moores University and was fitness coach at Blackburn Rovers for three seasons.

He previously worked at West Ham and Coventry and with the FA.

"A big part of my role involves preparing the players for training. Aside from the training element I also have responsibilities on match day during the pre-match warm-up," said Strudwick.

Support

"I work closely with Carlos (Queiroz) and the other coaches on a daily basis. Carlos drives the coaching process and as fitness coach it's up to me to support him and the manager from the point of view of preparing the players for training and matches. In the main, that's from a physical point of view but it also involves the mental side of the game.

"The physical preparation part isn't just about putting the squad through a warm-up. I prepare them for what's going to happen in each individual training session. It's all about looking at the bigger picture.

"There was already a very successful framework in place before I joined the club, but hopefully I can add some fresh ideas.

"I look at my role as being a long-term evolution process because year-on-year it's important that we keep raising the bar.

"The model we're starting to adopt in this country is like the one used in Southern Europe - the Italian model, the Spanish model and, to a lesser extent, the French model."

Strudwick added: "Historically, the fitness role at a football club was often left to the physiotherapist. Over time clubs would bring in a running coach now and again, but that wasn't ideal because a footballer's fitness is different to that of a runner.

"Over the last 15 to 20 years there has been an evolution within the game to adopt a more foreign approach and to have more specialist coaches in specialist areas of training .

"There is a much bigger emphasis on the physical preparation than ever before because of the number of games each season. For that reason virtually every Premier League club has a fitness coach. They don't just look at the training process, they look at the recovery process as well.

"At a club like United, nothing can be left to chance. It's part of the manager's vision to leave no stone unturned and he fully recognises the importance of having a fitness coach.

"Hopefully I can play some part in helping the club remain at the forefront of the game."
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