For millions of soccer professionals, be it players, coaches or other staff positions, a job at Manchester United is the pinnacle of ambition and achievement.
Gary Walker reached that rarified level, and worked for the Red Devils for more than a decade as a sports scientist and strength and conditioning coach. But now he’s left behind the famed “Theater of Dreams” to join the newest expansion project in Major League Soccer.
Yes, FC Cincinnati lured Walker away from Manchester, announcing his hiring this week as their first director of sports performance. There he’ll “oversee all aspects of the club’s health and wellness initiatives,” in the words of the club’s announcement, from strength and conditioning to nutrition to injury rehabilitation and beyond.
And given FCC’s status as a fledgling organization currently building an academy, a new training facility and a downtown soccer stadium from the ground up, Walker’s role gives him the chance to influence the club for years, even decades to come.
“Speaking to the people that are involved here, it’s a really special project,” Walker told FCCincinnati.com. “It’s a new opportunity for me to come here and work with great staff and people that are really motivated to get this project up and running. Everything I’ve seen about Cincinnati, the fans, the people, they love football, they love soccer. I’m really excited to be part of it.”
Read FCC’s full profile to learn more about Walker’s sterling resume, watershed role at Manchester United, potential legacy in Cincy and much more.
