Paul Clement, English footballer, coach, and manager

Paul Clement, born on 8 January 1972, is a highly respected English professional football manager and coach. Currently, he serves as a pivotal first-team coach at Everton Football Club, contributing his extensive experience to the senior squad's development and tactical preparation.

A significant hallmark of Clement's distinguished career has been his recurring and highly successful partnership as assistant manager to the globally renowned Italian tactician, Carlo Ancelotti. This collaboration spanned some of Europe's elite football institutions. Their journey began at Chelsea FC, where Clement served from July 2009 to May 2011. During their inaugural season at Stamford Bridge (2009-2010), the duo orchestrated a historic double, securing both the coveted Premier League title and the FA Cup, showcasing an immediate and profound impact on the team's performance. Their successful partnership continued as they moved to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) from December 2011 to May 2013, where they clinched the Ligue 1 title in the 2012-2013 season, re-establishing PSG's dominance in French football. Subsequently, Clement joined Ancelotti at Real Madrid, serving from June 2013 to May 2015. Their first season at the Bernabéu (2013-2014) was particularly momentous, as they guided the club to its long-awaited tenth UEFA Champions League title, famously known as "La Décima," alongside winning the Copa del Rey. This period solidified Clement's reputation as a key figure in a highly successful coaching setup. Their final collaboration to date was at German giants Bayern Munich, from July 2016 to January 2017, where they added the Bundesliga title (2016-2017) to their impressive list of achievements before Clement departed for a managerial opportunity.

Beyond his roles as a trusted assistant, Paul Clement has also undertaken head managerial positions, demonstrating his ambition to lead teams. He made his managerial debut with Derby County in June 2015, a significant step in his career, before moving on to manage Premier League side Swansea City from January to December 2017, where he faced the challenging task of guiding a team in England's top flight. His managerial journey also included a spell at Reading FC from March to December 2018. These experiences provided him with invaluable insights into the intricacies of leading a senior professional team, managing player dynamics, and navigating the pressures of competitive leagues.

Clement's extensive coaching background began earlier in his career, establishing a strong foundation before his assistant managerial roles. He held various coaching capacities at prominent clubs such as Fulham (as a youth coach from 1996-1999) and Blackburn Rovers (in their academy from 1999-2000). He also spent significant time within Chelsea's youth and reserve setups (2000-2009), nurturing young talent and understanding the club's development pathways. Furthermore, his expertise extended to national youth teams, serving as an assistant coach for the England under-21 team (2007-2008) and the Republic of Ireland under-21 team (2008-2009), contributing to the development of future international players. A testament to his commitment to professional development, Clement successfully obtained his prestigious UEFA Pro Licence in 2009, the highest coaching qualification available in European football, which is essential for managing top-tier clubs.

Paul Clement: FAQs About His Coaching Career

When did Paul Clement join Everton?

Paul Clement joined Everton Football Club as a first-team coach in June 2022, initially under manager Frank Lampard, and he has continued in this role as part of Sean Dyche's coaching staff.

Which major titles has Paul Clement won as an assistant manager with Carlo Ancelotti?

As assistant manager alongside Carlo Ancelotti, Paul Clement has won numerous significant titles across Europe's top leagues and competitions. These include:

• The Premier League and FA Cup with Chelsea (2009-10 season)
• Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain (2012-13 season)
• The UEFA Champions League ("La Décima") and Copa del Rey with Real Madrid (2013-14 season)
• The Bundesliga with Bayern Munich (2016-17 season)

What is the UEFA Pro Licence?

The UEFA Pro Licence is the highest coaching certification awarded by UEFA. It is a mandatory qualification for any individual wishing to manage a football club in the top-tier leagues of UEFA member countries, or to manage in the UEFA Champions League or Europa League. It signifies a coach's advanced understanding of tactical, technical, physical, and psychological aspects of the game, as well as leadership and management skills.

Which clubs has Paul Clement managed as head coach?

Paul Clement has served as the head coach or manager for three English clubs: Derby County (2015-2016), Swansea City (2017), and Reading (2018). These roles provided him with direct experience in leading and guiding professional teams.