Jimmy Nielsen started his soccer career as a player, but the first-ever coach of the Hartford Athletic said managing a team came naturally to him.
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Jimmy Nielsen started his soccer career as a player, but the first-ever coach of the Hartford Athletic said managing a team came naturally to him. During recess soccer matches as a kid in Denmark, Nielsen was always the one dividing up the teams, and pulling out his notebook filled with plays and tactics.
Before signing on with Hartford, Nielsen was the first coach of United Soccer League's Oklahoma City Energy, so he's used to leading new teams.
As he gears up to start the season with Hartford, he said he's confident in his ability to lead the Athletic to success on the pitch, and in the business domain.
The Athletics' first match next spring, Nielsen pointed out, will be played in front of a sold-out crowd.
How confident are you that a pro soccer franchise will draw crowds in Hartford?
This city, state and region have always been a hotbed for soccer no matter how you look at it. Whether you judge it by youth participation, player development, TV ratings, support for the U.S. National Team, and the overall diversity of Greater Hartford, you see that we have an amazing opportunity to bring the community together through the world's game and have a lot of fun in the process.
How do you intend to engage the local business community as coach of the Athletic?
As a coach it is my duty to help the team win both on and off the field and to do so I take my responsibility (and our players' responsibility) very seriously to engage the local community. I am all in on Hartford and will do anything I can to support the overall success of our team, our city, and our state.
Who do you look to for guidance as a coach?
In my playing career, I've been lucky to have had many great coaches, and I am still in contact with most of them. The one who stands out the most for me is Peter Vermes from Sporting Kansas City.
As a coach, what is the most annoying complaint to hear from players?
I don't find it annoying when a player complains. I listen and then together we work together to find a solution to fit both the team and the player. I want my players to know that they can always come to me.
What is the most valuable lesson you've learned about leadership?
No two players are alike, they are all very different and you need to spend time with them to get to know them. I like to practice the motto, 'They don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.' Words to live by.
