Gordonstoun signs up former International football manager, Simon McMenemy
Wednesday 3 September 2025
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Simon McMenemy became the world’s youngest national football manager when he took charge of the Philippines aged just 32. Since then, he has spent the past 15 years coaching in Asia, managing teams in Indonesia, Vietnam and the Maldives. McMenemy became the first British coach to win the Indonesian league championship with Bhayangkara FC before going on to manage the national team. The 47-year-old, who was born in Aberdeen, has now been appointed as the new Head of Football at Gordonstoun, set in 200 acres of countryside by the Moray Firth. |
Gordonstoun has appointed a renowned international football coach as their new Head of Football.Unique opportunities at home and abroad
The announcement comes after the school recently revamped its sports provision for students with bold plans to offer top quality academy coaching.
This will also see the creation of several sporting partnerships. The first one overseas is with Dubai-based Gulf United, one of the premier professional football clubs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
McMenemy is one of several experienced coaches to be appointed as part of Gordonstoun’s long-term sports strategy.
His first job in football was with Brighton as a development officer, before a job at Nike saw him meet some of the game’s biggest names like Carlos Tevez and Ronaldinho.
He was assistant manager at non-league Worthing Town when the opportunity arose to become an international manager with the Philippines.
McMenemy has now come full circle from Manila to Moray. His father was an aircraft engineer, and his mother was a Wren, at nearby RAF Lossiemouth when he was growing up.
Simon McMenemy said:
“I was in Bali when I became aware there was a vacancy for the Head of Football at Gordonstoun. I would have run to the airport to apply for the role as Moray holds a special place for me and my family.
“I have been away from the UK for 15 years, experiencing things that a lot of people have never done before. To sustain that life - travelling around Asia and coaching football - is tough and a lot of coaches are unable to sustain that, but it helps to carry a bit of luck with you.
“I can’t wait to get started as Gordonstoun’s new Head of Football. Our long-term goal will be to get the students up to elite academy level, but we’ll do it in a structured way.
“Once we get that professional programme in place, we will be looking to use it recruit young players from Scotland, the UK and around the globe.
“Our aim will be to attract students from other countries by raising the level of the football programme at Gordonstoun, to become one of the most competitive schools in the country.
“We already have an exciting partnership with Gulf United and I’m keen to build on that to increase our profile around the world.”
McMenemy has come a long way since he started his coaching career using football to help drug offenders and those involved in anti-social behaviour.
His long-term strategy will be to also create links with the local community and other professional football clubs in Scotland and beyond.
McMenemy added:
“It’s important that our students get a taster, or longer-term experience, of what it’s like to play in a professional football environment.
“We also want to get the local community involved in what we are doing by sharing our knowledge and experience. Service is a way of life at Gordonstoun and it’s important that we give something back to the community. Our door is always open to help others.
“We want to use football not only to develop elite players but as also as a means to create more rounded individuals.”
Gordonstoun Head, Simon Cane-Hardy, has been instrumental in transforming the sports provision at the school.
The international partnerships being put in place will enhance the development of football and other sports in Scotland and the Middle East, providing elite pathways for students, alongside educational opportunities.
Gordonstoun Head, Simon Cane-Hardy, said:
“With more than 15 years of professional coaching experience across Asia, including national team management and top-flight football, Simon brings a truly global perspective to our sports programme.
“He has been described as the ‘best British coach you’ve never heard of’ and we are fortunate to have him at the school to run our football programme.
“Simon’s appointment is part of a long-term strategy to offer students a unique opportunity to work in a professional academy environment to support their ambitions both at home and overseas.
“Improving the quality of our sporting provision will create more opportunities for all Gordonstoun students regardless of their sporting abilities, whilst ensuring the most talented are offered access to elite pathways to help them reach their full potential.”
To find out more about our sporting community and the uniquely broad range of opportunities available to our students, join us on our next Virtual Taste of Gordonstoun Webinar.
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