Carl Muggleton joins backroom staff at Gills
Gillingham manager Martin Allen has appointed Carl Muggleton as the new goalkeeping coach at MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
The 43-year-old previously held the same role at Notts County, since the summer of 2008, and coached the Magpies under Sven-Goran Eriksson as well as being assistant-manager to Allen during his spell in charge at Meadow Lane.
Muggleton played in over 350 league games during his time as a player with several different clubs, and made an appearance at Wembley Stadium for Leicester City in the 1992 second division play-off final.
He is a well qualified coach and holds a UEFA `C`, `B` and `A` licence as well as holding a UEFA `B` Goalkeeping licence.
He has been at the club for a few weeks now and is enjoying his time in a new role.
Speaking exclusively to the club’s official website he said:
“It’s been good – I came in the week we went to France which was a great experience to go out there and a great opportunity to get three sessions in per day and the boys have worked really hard.
“We have had a couple of weeks back here preparing for the pre-season games, we’ve had a couple now and just getting ready for the start of the season.
“It’s been quite hectic but I got a phone call and had the chance to join the club. The facilities are geared up to a higher status to what we’re at – I’m looking forward to the challenge and hopefully we can take everything that little bit further.”
Muggleton is currently working with new signing Stuart Nelson and development keeper Daren Hawkes as Ross Flitney continues to recover from injury, and is working on a number of different disciplines as he gets them prepared for the 2012/13 campaign.
He said: “It’s nice to have a few keepers out there training and it will be good for the younger boys to learn off the experienced keepers aswell so we will try and keep them out there as much as we can.
“We will work with the senior keepers but we are trying to develop the younger ones too.
“We are working through all aspects of goalkeeping- shot stopping, crosses and especially kicking because it’s one of the main things for a keeper at the moment, being comfortable with the ball.
“Throughout the season we will be working and improving other things that may arise.”
Muggleton has played in more than 400 league games during his time as a player, and was asked what makes a good goalkeeper.
He replied: “A lot of goalkeeping is down to natural ability but it’s all about consistency – most keepers are good shot stoppers but if you can get the consistency in performances and make as few mistakes as possible the more consistent you become and the higher up you go.
“We are trying to get them to relax and be mentally correct because that’s an important part of goalkeeping. You have to be focused, have a lot of mental strength getting through things that might happen throughout a game and being aware of what is happening around you.”
The former Chesterfield keeper recalled the last time he was part of a playing squad at Priestfield, and is now focused on helping the players move up a level.
He said: “The last time I was here [playing] was when I was on the bench for the play-off game against Stoke City, but I haven’t been back since.
“The lads have accepted everybody right through to the backroom staff and we are getting good responses. Everybody is working really hard and they all seem to be enjoying training.
“We get good feedback and we are trying fresh ideas. They are embracing everything we are doing and if we continue like that throughout the season and get the results who knows where we can go.”