Experienced coach and coach educator, Stuart McLaren, has been appointed FIFA Talent Coach for the Ghana Football Association for the next two years under the FIFA Talent Development Scheme programme.
McLaren is one of the few approved FIFA Talent Coaches available to FIFA Member Associations under the FIFA TDS programme.
He is a UEFA Pro Licensed Coach who transitioned into coaching, following a professional playing career and will work closely under the Technical Director Professor, Joseph Kwame Mintah, to deliver on the set objectives for the Ghana Talent Identification and Development (TDS) programme in fulfilment of the FIFA TDS Programme under FIFA Chief of Global Football Development, Arsène Wenger.
McLaren has amassed extensive knowledge through roles in elite academy environments, as well as with first teams and international age-group squads, having experienced different football cultures in Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, and Australia. He has expertise in strategic management, player and coach development, coaching, and coach education, and is a proactive professional who can lead or operate as a key member of a high-performing coaching team.
McLaren is a former coach of Stirling Albion Football Club from October 2014 to October 2016. He coached the U-16 Boys National Team of Scotland from November 2016 to January 2018, the Women’s National Team Head Coach of Scotland from January 2021 to June 2021, as well as Celtic FC’s U-18 Manager from January 2022 to December 2023. He was also the Senior Women’s National and Team Assistant Coach of Ireland.
He also worked as a Coach Educator and Coaching Education and Development Manager for the Scottish Football Association.
McLaren is currently in Ghana to begin his contract as he brings a wealth of experience to the technical Directorate and has already visited Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, Prampram and The GFA Elite Academy at Winkogo near Bolgatanga.-GFA
