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The English Football League (EFL) offers many top players a chance to make the break into managerial work or coaching. In recent times, many young coaches have come up because of chairpersons of EFL teams, giving them a chance. In this post, we look at some of the most famous player-coaches to rise from the EFL in recent times.

1. John Terry – Aston Villa

A former world-class defender when playing with Chelsea and England, John Terry made the shocking decision to end his career at Aston Villa. Many thought the Chelsea legend would retire at Stamford Bridge, but that was never the case. John Terry now serves as a coach under Dean Smith. This promotion came after a season as a player, another as a player-coach, and now as a coach. He helped the team to EPL promotion last season.

2. Scott Parker – Fulham

A former household name when you think of naming top English midfielders. Scott Parker ended his career at Fulham after playing for several teams in the English top-flight, including Chelsea. As his career drew to an end, Scott served as a player-coach under Claudio Ranieri. Later, when Ranieri lost the job as Fulham manager, Scott became the caretaker manager. He is currently Fulham’s manager.

3. Wayne Rooney – Derby County

You hear the name Wayne Rooney, and automatically Manchester United comes to mind. The reason for this is that the player won five EPL titles and a Champions League medal with the team. He is also the club’s all-time top scorer as well as England’s international top scorer. Wayne Rooney now serves as a player-coach for Derby County that plays in the EFL. Many are waiting to see if Wayne will replicate his prowess as a player when he finally moves into management in the near future.

Ardent football fans live for the day derby matches are played. In most instances, derbies have the highest attendances of any league matches. In the English Football League (EFL), several participating teams come from the same area, and this makes their games worth watching. The following is a list of some of the fiercest derbies in the EFL.

West London Derby

London is the epicentre of football in England. The same applies to the EFL Championship as well. One of the fiercest derbies in the EFL pits Fulham and Queens Park Rangers playing against each other in the West London Derby. This derby attracts large crowds and, for the most part, many goals as well. With both teams going through tumultuous times in the recent past, the derby has allowed their fans to have something to cheer about.

West Yorkshire Derby

The West Yorkshire derby is another popular derby against two teams in the EFL championship. This derby sees Huddersfield square it off against Leeds United FC. While the derby might have lost its spark, it still counts as one of the most crucial league games for either team.

Many crucial admin decisions affecting both teams were made after this derby. For most managers managing either team, the focus is on winning this derby to ensure job security. And for football fans fierce derbies to live for.

Blackburn-Preston Rivalry

Blackburn and Preston bring the heat whenever they play each other in the EFL championship. These two teams square it off in a local derby for Lancashire teams. While Blackburn has had more bragging rights in the past, the dynamic is changing, and in recent times, Preston has become the team to watch. This upset in power balance makes the derby a real pleasure to watch and ranks it top of the fiercest derbies in the EFL championship.

The English Football League (EFL) welcomes players from around the globe. Every year, teams playing in the EFL will sign foreign or local players to supplement the needs of their squads. Of some of the players to have played in the EFL, some African players have impressed and left a mark on the league. In this post, we look at some of the African players who played in the EFL.

1. Odion Ighalo

A boyhood Manchester United fan who now plays for the team. Ighalo once played in the EFL Championship as a Watford player. Ighalo, who plays as a striker, managed three goals in eight appearances as a loanee before Watford FC signed him permanently mid-season. In his first season, he helped Watford gain promotion to the Premier League. Ighalo left his mark as one of the few Africans to score a hat trick in the EFL Championship.

2. John Mikel Obi

A towering presence in the Chelsea team that he became all too famous playing for. John Mikel Obi made the move to the EFL in 2019. He would stay with the team for half a season making 18 appearances and managing one goal. John Mikel added a lot of creativity to the Middlesbrough team he was signed for. Additionally, his hunch for midfield defending allowed him to pose a threat to opposition forwards and add solidity to the team.

3. Jonathan Kodjia

The Ghanaian forward is one of the latest African players to play in the EFL. Kodjia, who was once voted the French Ligue Player of the Year, played for Bristol City and Aston Villa. He managed a total of 140 appearances in total for both teams scoring 48 times in the process between 2015 and 2019. Kodjia also helped Aston Villa gain promotion to the Premier League last season. He left Aston Villa in January 2020 to join Al-Gharafa.