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Football's next decade: Stevenage and Norwich coaches weigh in
League One's Stevenage manager Alex Revell and Norwich City first-team coach Ryan Garry predict how artificial intelligence, tactical flexibility and player workloads will reshape the game by 2036.
Technology: keep it simple, keep it human
Revell, now in his second spell at Stevenage, warns against over-complicating football's core appeal. "Technology must improve the game without killing enjoyment," he says. "If we slow the game further, cut 'ball in play' time or let goalkeepers feign injury, fans will lose interest."
He floats a trial idea: managers could challenge one referee decision per match, triggering a brief review. "Three challenges would be too many; one might work," he suggests.
Garry, who joined Norwich last summer after 18 months at Belgian club Lommel SK, highlights the growing demands on players. "Top stars already employ personal support teams for fitness, travel and media," he notes. "More will launch their own media companies to control their brand."
Data deluge: AI's promise and limits
Stevenage's modest staff can only scratch the surface of GPS and tracking data. "We peel the outer skin of the onion," Revell says. "AI could help us dig deeper, but it can't judge character or read body language like a human."
At Norwich, Garry balances high-tech tools with restraint. "We film training with drones and fixed cameras, but we don't want data to cap player potential," he explains. "It's about safe overreach-pushing limits without breaking them."
He recalls his time at Arsenal, where coaches "skilfully neglected" data to focus on individual development. "The modern coach must build trust with analysts and adapt to how today's players learn," he adds.
Tactics: fluid roles and space over formations
Revell points to the rise of interchangeable positions. "Full-backs now roll inside to become midfielders," he says. "Young players must master multiple roles-like Harry Kane dropping deep to link play."
Stevenage's academy prioritises athleticism and robustness, aiming to produce first-team-ready talent. "Local lad Ryan Doherty left for Ipswich Town at 17 after nine first-team games," Revell notes. "It's a career move, but we'd love to keep more homegrown stars."
Garry emphasises long-term development. "The acid test isn't next Saturday; it's a game in three or four years," he says. His England U17s at the 2023 World Cup included Myles Lewis-Skelly, now a full England international.
Player welfare: calendar crunch and education gaps
Garry questions the sustainability of packed schedules. "Paris St-Germain's fixture list is unsustainable," he argues. "The Club World Cup was a success, but player health must come first."
Revell highlights the financial gulf between Premier League academies and lower-league clubs. "Young players face disappointment when they leave big clubs for League One wages," he says. "We need to keep talent in our domestic game."
Garry, who worked in Belgium, contrasts European models. "In the Netherlands and Germany, clubs trade players to fund development," he explains. "Belgium's B teams in the second tier prepare players for moves abroad."
He advocates for better education in UK academies. "A Plan B outside football is invaluable," he says. "The Premier League could integrate this into the system."
Legends' verdict: VAR, substitutes and goalkeepers
Former Southampton and Bournemouth striker Dave Puckett, who holds the Saints' substitute appearance record, calls for fewer substitutes. "Ten changes disrupt flow and tempo," he says. "Reverting to fewer named subs would keep teams recognisable."
"VAR is a fun sponge. Goals should be celebrated immediately, not after four-minute checks. Decisions must take under 60 seconds."
Garry Thompson, ex-Coventry and West Brom striker
Ex-Fulham and Bournemouth goalkeeper Gerry Peyton urges keepers to develop outfield skills. "The modern keeper must restart play quickly and read body shape before receiving the ball," he says. "Calmness under pressure is key."
Hopes for the future
Revell stresses core values: "Honesty, hard work and camaraderie matter most. The best mates I made were at Cambridge United-players like Dave Kitson and Trevor Benjamin."
Garry wants to protect football's pyramid. "Bradford City's 18,000 League Two crowds show its strength," he says. "We must keep young fans engaged despite ticket prices."
