As Bournemouth’s captain under the hugely successful management of Eddie Howe, vocal leadership came easily to Tommy Elphick.
Always happy to ‘bring the energy,’ his voice was a prominent one at the training ground, or inside the dressing room on a match day.
To a degree It’s a similar story now, but when he first started out in his role as a first team coach on the south coast, the former central defender doesn’t mind admitting that everything felt very different.
“As a player I was so engrossed in the feel of the group, and Eddie’s clarity and messaging made it so easy for me to follow as his captain. Unplanned, there would often be times where I’d end up speaking in front of the group, and it felt natural to do that.
“Fast forward, and there I was last season, on the training pitch with 25 sets of eyes looking at me. In that situation you know what you want to say, but with everyone hanging on your every word, at first there was also a sense of ‘I’d better get this right’ swimming around inside my head.
“Nothing quite prepares you for that moment. You can’t practice it. But having a manager like Andoni Iraola, who allows me to be in that position has been fantastic for my own personal development.”
Elphick's journey into coaching
A move into coaching was always on the cards for Elphick, who believes two serious Achilles injuries early on in his career helped him watch and understand football in a way that wouldn’t have happened if he’d been playing every weekend.
Also inspired by the innovation and player development he experienced first-hand from Brighton & Hove Albion’s youth team manager Dean Wilkins, and from former Seagulls head coach Gus Poyet, the centre back had his eye on developing players himself from a very early stage.
During an injury ravaged two-year spell with Huddersfield Town between 2019 and 2021 those ambitions crystallized. With over ten operations behind him, and his mind and body willing him to call it a day, Elphick hung up his boots, returning to the Cherries as a coach with Bournemouth’s under-21 side.
“I speak to players of my generation, lads I played with, and many are desperate for a year or two break, but it was different for me,” he explains.
“The way my playing days ended, spending so much time away from the pitch, I was craving more football right away.
“Scott Parker had his own first team staff, but I was delighted to work alongside Shaun Cooper with the 21’s. I was very, very lucky to work with such an outstanding coach, and I learned so much. That period also opened my eyes to the time and effort required to do this job properly.
“In truth, academy football probably had a lifespan for me, but it was an invaluable year.”
Big break
Parker’s sudden departure early in the 2022/23 saw Gary O’Neil promoted to head coach. The knock-on effect meant that Cooper and Elphick were promoted into the first team environment to assist him.
“There are benefits and negatives to being thrust into that situation,” admits Elphick. “I would love to have spent more time coaching, experimenting, and finding out who I really am on the grass before going into such a high-pressure situation, but it was an opportunity which had to be grabbed with both hands.
“At the outset none of us had coached at Premier League level before, but we went in, took the handbrake off and went for it. Thankfully the three us had a nice blend.”
Picking up the pieces from a 9-0 loss to Liverpool, a result that cost Parker his job, the trio – who were later joined by Tim Jenkins - steadied the ship to steer Bournemouth to a 15th place finish.
Looking back, Elphick believes that season was a colossal learning curve.
“Tactically it was eye-opening to work with Gaz [O’Neil] who is so intelligent. His game plans were second to none. Working with someone of that ilk meant I quickly needed to upscale and upskill on that facet of the game. So, it was an amazing start for me,” he says.
“My focus was to sweep up around the manager, taking things off his hands that he didn’t have time for. I’d manage things in the changing room sometimes, give him reminders, and assist however I could.
“On the grass I’d often take the back half of the group for some unit coaching too, working on defensive shape and defending set pieces.
“I like advising young centre backs as I can draw on so many more experiences,” Elphick continues, “but I also find it exciting to work with forward players too, where I can add value by showing them ways you can manipulate defenders.
“Premier League football is such a high-level now that as a coach, if you’re put on the spot you need to be able to answer questions or offer advice on all aspects of the game. My intention is to become as well-rounded as possible.”
Learning under new head coach Iraola
Iraola replaced O’Neil as head coach at Bournemouth in June 2023, with Cooper and Elphick staying on as his coaching assistants.
In a flash the environment changed dramatically, with the Spaniard implementing a new playing style, and fresh ideas on the training ground.
At 37 years of age, with strong existing relationships with the players there was an onus on Elphick to be a bridge between them and the new boss.
Reflecting on that delicate period Elphick admits, “It was a big shock to the system for the group, with many of them feeling Gaz was hard done by losing his job. So, the new gaffer had to initially win over the lads, and for the first two- or three-weeks training was very constraint-based, the drills were unique, and some of the boys were struggling with the new practices.
“Andoni likes to manage from a distance too, so the support staff had an extra responsibility to help him gain the trust of the squad, and he also leaned on us to give him nuggets of information about individual players.
“Early on I was thinking ‘come on boys, let the barriers down, let’s go a bit deeper on a personal level’, as I felt they were holding back. Thankfully, once they adjusted to the changes, the group relaxed into it and the training environment was excellent.”
Initially, Bournemouth struggled to marry their style shift with positive results, failing to win any of their first nine Premier League matches of 2023/24.
And Elphick remembers being struck by how calm Iraola was when the noise around the club was becoming unbearably intense.
“I asked Andoni if he’d ever been in a position like this before,” he recalls, “and he just laughed it off and said, ‘no, never as a player or manager’. I reassured him I was there for him if he needed anything, but he was so relaxed. Basically, he said ‘we will be fine, I know exactly where we are going’, and it was delivered with great confidence.
“I guess I was worried a bit for my own future at the time and his calm-headed approach brought great comfort to me.
“Andoni’s greatest strength is his consistent behaviour, delivery and messaging. The belief he has in his coaching is so strong. It never wavers.
“Only once did we come away from the pressing game he demands, and that was in a heavy defeat to Manchester City away, and I’ll never forget the gaffers’ reaction,” continues Elphick, who won four promotions as a player with Brighton, Bournemouth (twice) and Aston Villa.
“We changed shape a little bit, stepping off a couple of yards, and I remember being sat next to him and he was so uncomfortable. Andoni ripped it up at half time and told the players to go man to man and be super aggressive instead.
“Afterwards he told me he’d never do that again, and that I should never let him do that again either! A few days later we beat Newcastle United 2-0 playing an unbelievably aggressive style and it just felt beautiful. That was us, and it was the moment we went bang. Our play went to a new level after that.”
How Iraola has helped Elphick grow as a coach
While Iraola is very much a hands-on coach during the week, leading most sessions, Elphick and Cooper are always there to work with individuals, deliver set piece plans and to offer the manager support.
The Spaniard also sits in between both coaches on a match day, welcoming constant dialogue and thoughts on tactical changes that may benefit the team.
Elphick also has another vital role to play. “I’m the one with the loud voice,” he chuckles. “When the managers’ voice runs out, he nudges me to go and say what needs to be said. As a player I needed to bring energy, and it’s the same now.”
“Absolutely,” he says without a moment’s hesitation. “If I was a manager, I wouldn’t want anyone to feel they’re holding back or that they can’t say something and he is the same. There needs to be a safe space, where your opinions are respected and heard.
“I remember one week early on last season when the gaffer and Shaun were very set on pressing in a certain way, but I felt we should go in a different direction” he continues. “Andoni told me to draw up my ideas so that the players knew what it looked like, as he might change his mind 15 minutes in. He had listened to me and paid due respect to my viewpoint, and that’s all you can ask for.”
Elphick leading Bournemouth against Fulham
On Boxing Day last year Iraola was suspended for a home match against Fulham, and he asked Elphick to lead the team from the technical area.
He advised the 37-year-old to stand at the front whenever he felt the team needed a presence by the touchline, and as a coaching staff they worked as a unit to relay the managers’ messages in a resounding 3-0 success.
“I must admit it was a nice feeling standing there at the front and being honest it reaffirmed to me that one day, when I am ready, I do want to be that guy rather than the assistant sitting behind,” Elphick states with conviction.
“I’ve always wanted to manage, and down the line I’d like to put my principles and ideas into practice. It’s an itch I will need to scratch, but there is no rush.
“Right now, I just feel so lucky to have experienced contrasting styles in O’Neil and Iraola, and I have learned an incredible amount from both men. I really resonate with Andoni, and the way he wants his team to play with emotion, and he places a lot of emphasis on spirit.
“What I have learned so far is that to be a successful coach you firstly need strong beliefs. Then, you must deliver your messages with consistency and confidence, and of course be authentic, true to yourself.
“As long as I follow those golden rules, there will be no regrets.”
