The Vancouver Whitecaps have finalized their coaching staff ahead of the 2014 season by adding a man with plenty of intrigue.
The Canadian announced on Monday that it has appointed England native Martyn Pert as an assistant and fitness coach, rounding out head coach Carl Robinson's technical staff. The 36-year-old Pert joins fellow Vancouver assistants Jake DeClute (assistant coach/scouting coordinator) and Marius Rovde (goalkeeper coach) after spells with Cardiff City, Coventry City, Watford, Fulham and Bahrain's national team.
Pert also holds a UEFA Pro License, the highest and final coaching qualification available, and is fluent in Spanish.
“Martyn is a highly respected coach with experience at the top levels in England,” said Robinson in a statement. “His knowledge of the game, both tactically and technically, is fantastic and he also brings an expertise in sports science. Martyn will play a major role in the day-to-day activities of the first team and we are thrilled to have him onboard.”
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Pert was most recently with Cardiff City as an assistant coach/head of conditioning, and he helped the club prepare for its debut season in the Premiership. He also previously worked with Whitecaps defender Jay DeMerit while holding head of conditioning/sports science positions at Watford.
In addition to being involved in soccer, Pert has also had brief stints with MLB's New York Yankees and NBA's Los Angeles Lakers as a fitness coach.
