Former Tranmere Rovers manager and LJMU student Les Parry has spoken to JMU Journalism about his new career with Manchester United.
Les worked for Tranmere Rovers as a physiotherapist for more than 20 years when, in 2009, he was appointed caretaker manager for the Wirral-based football club, where he stayed for three years.
Having graduated with a PhD from LJMU, Parry says he is now “delighted” to be working for Premier League Manchester United as their newly appointed Athletic Development Coordinator. In his new role, Parry is coordinating the work of physiotherapists, coaches and sports scientists for Manchester United’s youth and development squads.
Given his experience, the former Prenton Park manager feels he is a good fit for the job. “Manchester United approached me. They wanted somebody who has had experience working in all three of those departments and when I was at Tranmere I was those three departments,” he told JMU Journalism.
The 55-year-old said of completing a PhD in Sports Science: “I thought JMU was brilliant. I was so fortunate to be able to work with such a fantastic director of studies, and my PhD supervisor was brilliant, too. The Sports Science department at JMU is the best in the country; the facilities are world class,” he said.
“I use what I learned at JMU every day in my job, and it helped me get the job. If I hadn’t have gotten my PhD at JMU in Sports Science I wouldn’t have been as attractive a candidate for the new job.”