“When I think of my playing career, the coaches I played best under were the ones that were good communicators. They were the ones who would make you feel amazing and as if you were Lionel Messi even though I was closer to Lionel Richie when I played,” jokes Stevie Campbell in the early stages of our first of two afternoons discussing his playing career, journey into coaching and his role in turning the city of Dundee into a hotbed for footballing talent.
“I wasn’t one for taking notes as a player, I just got a real buzz and love for it in my 30s. When I gave up the game at age 32 with chronic arthritis in my knee, luckily I went straight into coaching and had the chance to learn from some brilliant people above me. I wouldn’t say coaching was even on my mind as a player, I was actually planning to be a math teacher given a lot of my close family were and are teachers. I guess coaching football was the closest thing to it and a bit more enjoyable for me than maths.”
Seemingly destined to follow his family’s path into a career in education, it wasn’t until the final years of his playing career that Stevie began to see coaching as a genuine possibility.
“I started to get into coaching whilst playing for Livingston in the 1996–97 season when they were a new club (Meadowbank Thistle becoming Livingston FC in 1995). One of the requirements in our contract, which practically paid half our wages because the club didn’t really have a lot of money at the time, was to go into the local schools and community and coach. I just remember getting a real buzz from doing it. Then the manager Jim Leishman would let me take some of the first team training sessions and it just went from there.”
Social media Q&A:
Most important trait in a coach that doesn’t get mentioned often enough? (Aidan Wright)
Stevie Campbell: When I look back at the 40–50 coaches I worked with as a player and in terms of being a coach, the biggest thing for me is communication. If a coach develops their communication, it helps players feel at ease, you build trust and it tends to bring out the best in them. Jim Leishman and Simon Stainrod were great coaches in their own right. Although I’ve had better coaches on the training ground, the way they would communicate with you and make you feel amazing set them apart and was crucial for me as a player. I wouldn’t say I had loads of self-belief as a player.
After moving to Carnoustie Panmure as a player/manager in the twilight of his career, an injury prompted his retirement and accelerated a shift in focus to coaching. It wasn’t long before he landed his first full-time coaching position.
“I got the chance to go to Dundee FC and take one team all the way from under 12’s up to under 18’s. At that point, the club were bringing through loads of brilliant players, the likes of Lee Wilkie, Lee Mair and then after that Paul Dixon, Scott Robertson, Kev McDonald and Steven Robb.”
Stevie quickly made a genuine impact as a coach. Speaking with him, it’s clear why: his enthusiasm, active listening, and supportive nature come naturally. Is this simply part of who he is, or did it develop as he found his footing as a coach?
“My upbringing in our family, we were very much people persons. We were taught to be as genuine and honest as possible. I put that honesty and connection into my coaching. I’ve found throughout my career that the biggest thing for a player is building a relationship with them and their families. When you’re doing all your coaching licenses and badges, it’s mainly about the tactical and training aspects. Those are without doubt definitely important, but the challenges you are mainly met with as a coach are dealing with people and supporting people with things outside of football. My coaching career has mostly been working with kids from 15 to 18, which can be a really challenging time for them. I’d say my biggest strength was just being open and honest with them, sometimes that involved telling them things they maybe didn’t always like, but they’ll look back on now and say that it was something they appreciated.”
Stevie emphasizes the importance of embracing authenticity and reflecting on both your strengths and weaknesses as a coach. While it’s easy to be inspired by managers like Pep Guardiola, with his detailed insights and animated presence on the touchline, finding your own unique and genuine approach is crucial.
“It’s so important. I tried to always be myself and do what felt right based on who was in front of me. Having that awareness is really important, even now I often look back and think about what I’ve done right, wrong and what I could do to improve.”
Who was the most naturally talented player you worked with from a young age? (Lewis Scott)
Stevie Campbell: Far too many to choose from!
After spending several years nurturing talent at Dundee FC and a brief stint in Inverness with Craig Brewster, he crossed the city divide in January 2006 to become a youth coach at Dundee United. By 2009, he had risen to the position of the club’s youth director. Reflecting on this period, PSYCHEDIN and Stevie outlined two key psychological factors that played a part in whether or not a youngster, firstly, made it into the first team and, secondly, progressed even further.
- The role of self-belief in Ryan Gauld, John Souttar and Scott Allan’s youth career
“I remember John Souttar was just as cool as anything at such a young age, completely unphased. Him and Ryan Gauld just had the mentality and temperament and were ready to go into the first team and burst onto the scene from the age of 16. The 2013 Scottish Cup Semi Final at Hampden against Celtic is a testament to that, they were both outstanding on the day and I remember at one point the ball broke to Jon in his own half and he did a Cruyff turn. At 16-year-old, on a big stage like that, is incredible.”
“Scott Allan was another one who had that genuine belief in his ability. I remember he was just bursting to get his chance in the first team, was so keen to get onto that stage and show the United fans and others what he was all about. He had a real air of give me the ball and let me show you what I can do.”
Whilst having that belief and confidence can assist a player in pushing themselves into positions where they get opportunities in the first team, resilience can be seen as the key factor that keeps them there and develop further.
2. The role of resilience and patience in Stuart Armstrong’s career
“I go back to Stuart Armstrong though. He got released from Inverness, then didn’t get signed by Aberdeen. He came to me aged 15 or 16 and I remember speaking to him and his Dad and Stu was quite distraught and down on himself. The resilience he showed though and has shown throughout his career is incredible. Stu was, you could call it, a bit of a slow burner and I think a lot of that is just down to his personality. He took his time in the youths, took a wee bit of time to break into the first team and didn’t exactly set the heather alight but was steady whilst he was finding his feet. Even at Celtic and Southampton, I think it has been a similar pattern. The thing with Stu though is he grows and grows as time goes on. We just needed to be a bit of a sounding board for him and play a part in allowing him to grow his confidence.
“I actually went to the first game of the last Euros with his family and what a feeling that was. A genuine sense of pride. It doesn’t surprise me knowing him outside out though to see where he is at now though, winning his 50th cap for Scotland recently.”
Describe the following players in one word (David Simpson):
Paul Dixon: Left foot
Johnny Russell: Elusive. Thought you had him and he’d skip away from you.
Stuart Armstrong: Easy to say good look but I’d say class, bit of class about Stu
John Souttar: Cool is the first thing I think of.
Ryan Gauld: Mini Messi.
Having acknowledged that he’s now too old for full-time coaching in a professional football club academy, Stevie runs his own academy, Stevie Campbell Football Academy, in partnership with the charity Showcase the Street. This initiative offers coaching for boys and girls in the Tayside area.
“To have had the chance to work with the talents and people I have throughout my career, it’s been an absolute joy. You know what though, in my academy now, there are players we’re coaching who are also absolutely breathtaking. I honestly can’t wait to see how they develop.
“A lot of the youngsters in the academy sometimes think they’ll not get into professional clubs because clubs take players as young as six years old these days. They think they’ve missed the boat. Guys like Stu and Andy Robertson are the perfect example for these young boys.
“I still have great relationships with players I coached in their teens who are now in their 40s. We go for coffee, a catch-up and advice. Hopefully I can do the same with some of the players I’m coaching just now when they’re in their 40s too. “
PSYCHEDIN Quick-Fire Questions
Describe yourself in three words: Honest, fun and humble
How would your family/friends describe you in three words? Kind, caring and selfless (Courtesy of his wife Susan)
Are you more introverted or extroverted? More definitely introverted. People would say differently if they saw me on the sidelines
Biggest personality strength/weakness? I’d leave that to the players who worked with me to answer.
Best moment of your career/life? Playing point of view, winning two leagues with Dundee and Livingston. Coaching, so many incredible moments because it’s great when you see the guy you’ve been working with make their first team debut. That moment each time.
Most challenging moment of your career/life? Getting an injury that kept me out of the game for a year aged 23. Had four operations, thought I’d never play again. Didn’t feel I got back to same level but still played 10 years after that.
Death-row meal:
Starter: Prawn cocktail.
Main: Seafood platter.
Dessert: Anything with chocolate
Drink: A decaf latte. Doctors orders decaf, my mates from the football world will not believe it either but I’m a new Stevie Campbell. Back in the day, it would’ve been a Bud but I can’t handle two anymore.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given: Tell me I forget, show me I remember, involve me I understand. Something very apt when it comes to coaching.
