Solihull Moors Ladies can confirm that Keith Bertschin has been appointed as First Team Coach, to work alongside Manager Sarah Westwood.
A familiar figure around the Club, Bertschin has also been given the role of Development Coach for the Youth and Junior department across the whole Club, covering both boys and girls teams.
The vastly-experienced 61-year-old made over 400 appearances during a playing career spanning 26 years, which included spells with Norwich City, Stoke City and Sunderland.
Bertschin is well-known locally having played almost 150 times for Birmingham City between 1977-81, where his goals helped fire the club to the top flight in 1980. He also spent time at one of the Moors’ forerunners, Solihull Borough, during the 1992/93 campaign.
More recently, the former striker has worked alongside Steve Bruce as part of his coaching staff at Blues, Wigan Athletic, Sunderland and Hull City, where he departed his role as First Team Coach in August 2016.
His involvement in the Solihull first team began in November later that year when he worked alongside former manager Liam McDonald as Head Coach – helping the club retain their National League status at the first time of asking.
Bertschin supported Gary Whild as he temporarily took the managerial reins following the departures of McDonald and then Richard Money in October 2017.
He has been working more prominently in the Club’s Academy since the back-end of 2017 and is delighted to be given the opportunity to join the Ladies’ set-up.
On his appointment, Bertschin said: “I wasn’t expecting it but when the Club came up with the idea, it was something that always interested me.
“Women’s football has taken a real foothold in the game and I’d actually coached a good standard in Los Angeles. I got my first taste in it there.
“Sarah and I had a little chat during the week to get her view and put a couple of notes together. It’s a different challenge for me and one that I was very keen to take up.”
And on overseeing the development of the youth teams at the Club, Bertschin says that he’s relishing the opportunity in helping to support the growth.
“It will hopefully be quite refreshing to have a look at the youth development,” He continued. “I’m looking forward to seeing the standard of players and trying to improve them a little bit.
“I’ve had an awful lot out of football so if I can give a little bit back, now is the time. I’m looking forward to it immensely to help the younger ones and also to watch the seniors – it will be really rewarding.”
Ladies Manager Westwood said: “I am delighted with the appointment of Keith to the coaching team; he brings unrivalled experience to our players and staff, and will be a key driver in our ongoing development.
“I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with someone of his calibre and I can’t wait to get pre-season underway this week.”
Sporting Director Mark Fogarty said: “We are delighted to have Keith on board in his new capacity which will help join together the boys and girls sections. It is another step towards the overall integration and vision of the club.”
Article reproduced from solihullmoors.co.uk
