Football intern becomes manager aged just 20

11 hours ago

Liz NiceSuffolk

Alex Riches has become one of non-league football's youngest managers, aged 20

Alex Riches A close up image of Alex in the dug-out with black wooden panels behind him. He is wearing a red and pink hoodie. He has dark hair and is looking away from the camera with an intense expression. — Alex Riches has become one of non-league football's youngest managers, aged 20

A University of Suffolk student and Ipswich Town FC intern became one of the youngest managers in non-league football and won on his debut.

Alex Riches took charge of Lowestoft Town's match against Mildenhall Town at the end of February, aged 20 and 335 days – making him one of the league's youngest bosses, albeit for one game only as the Trawlerboys search for a new permanent manager.

Lowestoft secured a 2-0 victory in the Isthmian League North Division match.

"It was a surreal moment," he said.

"Having that buzz of a victory, and a good performance to go along with it, I couldn't have asked for a better feeling really."

Lowestoft Town players, pictured before their game, beat Mildenhall Town 2-0

Alex Riches Players in light blue strips link arms in a huddle on a pitch with indistinguishable onlookers in the background. — Lowestoft Town players, pictured before their game, beat Mildenhall Town 2-0

Riches, from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, is an intern at Portman Road where he works as a goalkeeping analyst for the under-18 and under-21s.

"Working with professional goalkeepers at Ipswich Town has taught me so many details, little and big. Being able to bounce off some of the best coaches in the game has been eye-opening," he said.

A second year undergraduate on the University of Suffolk's BSc (Hons) Sport Performance Analysis course, Riches had to stop playing football aged 18 due to injury but has found a new passion for analysing tactics.

Since then, he has worked remotely for a Swedish under-19 club as a match analyst, and as a goalkeeper coach with Great Yarmouth Town.

Dr Mikael Jamil, senior lecturer in performance analysis and sports science, said: "We are extremely proud to see the achievements of our students, both past and present, and Alex's managerial debut is a strong reflection of the dedication and professionalism we seek to develop.

"Success stories like this highlight the value of our partnerships with organisations like Ipswich Town, which play a crucial role in providing meaningful opportunities."

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