Global Advisory Board

With over two decades of international coaching and technical leadership experience across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Michael White brings a wealth of expertise to Blueprint Football’s Global Advisory Board. A UEFA A Licensed coach and SFA Coach Educator, Michael has served as Technical Director at Gokulam Kerala FC, Head Coach at Mahd Academy in Saudi Arabia, and Academy Coach at elite clubs including Chelsea FC and Rotherham United. His deep involvement with the Professional Football Scouts Association (PFSA) underscores his commitment to talent identification and coach education worldwide. At Blueprint Football, Michael will play a key role in guiding the academy’s global development strategy, enhancing coaching standards, and shaping long-term pathways that connect grassroots excellence with professional performance environments.

A UEFA A Licensed Coach with extensive experience across nine European footballing nations, Valerio Zuddas represents the modern standard of tactical intelligence, innovation, and international excellence. Having served as Assistant Manager in top-tier clubs competing in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League — including FC Sheriff Tiraspol, FK Partizan, Hibernian FC, Hajduk Split, and Honvéd Budapest — Valerio has developed and implemented elite tactical structures that have produced record-breaking defensive performances and championship-winning campaigns. A graduate of the Johan Cruyff Institute and the Barça Innovation Hub, he blends academic mastery with on-field precision, specialising in tactical periodisation, out-of-possession strategies, and player development. At Blueprint Football, Valerio will help shape the academy’s global tactical framework, advise on coach education, and build pathways that mirror the standards of elite European football.

A UEFA A Licensed Goalkeeping Coach with over a decade of elite coaching experience, Hugh McCluskie brings exceptional expertise in goalkeeper development and coach education to Blueprint Football’s Global Advisory Board. Having served as Goalkeeping Coach for Norwich City Women, Wolverhampton Wanderers Women, and Birmingham City Women, as well as FA Talent ID Reporter for England WU19 and FA National Goalkeeping Course Tutor, Hugh has played a pivotal role in shaping the modern coaching landscape of the women’s game in England. His experience spans professional, academy, and international military football environments, underscoring his technical depth and commitment to high-performance excellence. At Blueprint Football, Hugh will guide the evolution of goalkeeping methodology, mentor coaches in specialist development, and help align the academy’s training standards with the highest benchmarks of professional football.

A dynamic and internationally experienced coach with over 20 years in the game, James Baird brings a powerful blend of tactical insight, leadership, and cross-continental experience to Blueprint Football’s Global Advisory Board. A Scottish-born coach who has worked across Europe, the Caribbean, and North America, James has held senior technical and head coaching roles with national teams, professional clubs, and football federations — including the Trinidad & Tobago Football Association, BVI FA, and Eagles FC. His coaching philosophy is rooted in high energy, pressing football, and player motivation, built on a foundation of discipline, communication, and psychology. Having guided both men’s and women’s programs to league titles and international competition, James will support Blueprint Football in developing global coaching methodologies, mentorship programs, and pathways that foster modern, performance-driven coaching across emerging football nations.

A UEFA Pro Licence-qualified coach, Mark Cox brings over two decades of elite coaching experience spanning five continents and multiple Premier League academies — including Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke City, and West Bromwich Albion. As a Premier League Youth and Academy Coach, Mark has worked directly with and developed some of the game’s most recognised names such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, Peter Crouch, and Mason Greenwood, and has shared professional development environments with icons like Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Roy Keane, Yaya Touré, David Ancelotti, and José Mourinho. Having educated over a thousand coaches through his role with The English FA and Welsh FA, Mark is now Technical Director of the Pakistan Academy Centre of Excellence, driving international coach education and high-performance player development. At Blueprint Football, Mark will contribute his unmatched expertise in academy systems, coach education, and player development frameworks, elevating the standard of football education across South Asia.

A globally respected UEFA A Licensed Coach, Academy Director, Educator, and Author, Ray Power brings nearly two decades of elite international football development experience to Blueprint Football’s Global Advisory Board. His distinguished career includes leading the National Academy Development of Bangladesh, where he transformed the region’s largest football academy (BKSP) through modern player development frameworks, and establishing Sunderland AFC’s Academy in East Africa, bridging Premier League standards with local talent. A published author of several best-selling coaching books and a recognized FIFA Technical Director mentor, Ray has collaborated with and earned praise from global figures including Per Mertesacker, Pitso Mosimane, and René Meulensteen. With extensive experience across Europe, Africa, and Asia, Ray will advise Blueprint Football on academy leadership, curriculum design, and coach education systems, ensuring our platform becomes a benchmark for football development excellence in South Asia.

A UEFA A Licensed Coach, MSc Performance Football Coach, and OFC Coach Educator, Lloyd Owers brings a wealth of international experience to the Blueprint Football Global Advisory Board. Currently serving as National Technical Director and Men’s Head Coach of the Marshall Islands, he has led the creation of the nation’s first-ever football strategy, coach education pathway, and national playing philosophy. With previous roles at The FA, Oxford United, Mansfield Town, and Oxford City, Lloyd has combined elite-level coaching with opposition analysis, youth development, and technical consultancy across Europe, North America, and Asia. His blend of academic insight and practical leadership will support Blueprint Football in advancing evidence-based coach education, tactical development, and global football methodology.

A distinguished FIFA and CONCACAF Coaching Instructor with over four decades of leadership in football development, Vin Blaine brings unmatched global experience to the Blueprint Football Global Advisory Board. A former Technical Director of the Jamaica Football Federation and Grenada Football Association and former Head Coach of the Jamaican Women’s National Team, he has played a pivotal role in shaping Caribbean football, mentoring hundreds of coaches and implementing elite player development structures across multiple nations. Vin, a Masters in High Performance Football, has delivered FIFA Coach Education courses throughout several Carribean countries, specializing in tactical organization, grassroots development, and football leadership. His deep involvement with regional federations, national teams, and global education programs has earned him recognition as one of the Caribbean’s most influential coaching educators. At Blueprint Football, Vin will guide the academy’s coach education frameworks, leadership pathways, and technical development strategy, ensuring our programs meet international standards while nurturing a new generation of coaches and players across South Asia and beyond.

A UEFA B Licensed Coach and Coach Developer with over 4,000 hours of global coaching experience across four continents, Billy Ready brings a dynamic blend of youth development, education, and event management expertise to the Blueprint Football Global Advisory Board. Currently serving as Head Coach and Coach Developer at PASS Abu Dhabi, Billy has led major projects including the Mubadala Youth League (161 teams, 1,650+ players) and the ADNOC Schools Technical Program, creating large-scale football festivals and learning environments that impact thousands of young players. Previously with Wycombe Wanderers Foundation, he managed the Premier League Primary Stars program and coached across the Elite Development Academy for U6–U18 players, helping nurture future professionals. Known for his work in player and coach development, sports psychology, and multicultural education, Billy’s innovative approach — featured on international coaching podcasts — reflects his passion for raising global coaching standards. At Blueprint Football, he will contribute to building youth development systems, coach education programs, and experiential learning events that make football accessible, inspiring, and world-class.