Former South Africa and Manchester United midfielder, Quinton Fortune says he hopes his coaching role with England’s Under-20 can prove a springboard to bigger jobs.
Having started in August, Fortune’s role as part of England’s elite coach programme comes after stints as coach at Reading.
Quinton Fortune also spent time with Manchester United and Cardiff City’s Under-23 sides.
Fortune, who started his sojourn at United between 1999 and 2006, sees his new job as a stepping stone towards bigger things.
“I’m preparing myself for the time when a bigger job comes along. It doesn’t have to be in England, anywhere in the world will be fine”.
The England’s elite coach programme (EECP) is a joint initiative of the Football Association and Professional Footballer’s Association.
The EECP initiative was created to promote opportunities for coaches from coloured communities.
This will help coloured coaches to work with the England national teams to gain international coaching experience.
Fortune, who has the highest coaching qualification in Europe, is one of several South Africans who are currently coaching overseas.
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Back in August, Benni McCarthy joined Manchester United’s staff while former midfielder Steven Pienaar is an assistant at Ajax.
At the same time, Africa’s most decorated coach, Pitso Mosimane, joined three-time Saudi Arabian champions Al Ahli. Al Ahli seek a swift return to the top flight.
Other South Africans coaching overseas include former Bafana defender Bradley Carnell and former midfielder Masilo Modubi.
Carnell is with St Louis, an American club that’ll be competing in MLS in 2023 while Modubi is coaching in Belgium.
Former United star Fortune, who played in two World Cups, has reiterated his desire to coach South Africa in future.
“Personally, if there’s an opportunity to help the national team I would be keen but it would have to be under the right circumstances,” he insists.
