Former West Ham striker Freddie Sears has returned home by joining the Hammers’ Under-21 coaching set-up.
The former academy graduate has been taking baby steps into coaching, combining it with playing part-time football. The pacey striker, who forged an excellent professional career after leaving Upton Park, returned to Rush Green to complete his UEFA B coaching badges. During his time coaching the academy’s Under-15 team, he couldn’t be happier.
The former Hammers favourite said: “I did a crash course for my UEFA B licence in 2023, and by chance, it was here at Chadwell Heath!” he recalled. “I hadn’t been back since I left in 2012. It was surreal being back in the building. Everyone’s made me so welcome. I spoke to some people on the course who were working at West Ham, and that’s how the opportunity came about to come back and do some coaching here. I’ve loved being in the building. Being back at the Club where I started has been fantastic.”
Sears knows precisely what it is like for young players coming through at West Ham, and he is now perfectly set to help guide the Hammers’ youngsters as someone who has ‘walked the walk’.
The progress of young stars being given their chance by new Irons gaffer Graham Potter has not escaped Sears’ attention, and he couldn’t be happier for Ollie Scarles and Lewis Orford’s recent promotion to the senior squad.
“Ollie and Lew must be buzzing right now. It’s a great experience coming through a club like this. It’s a massive club. It’s the Academy of Football, after all, so everyone wants to see more of our young lads in the first team!”