CSA Welcomes Manchester City Coaches Tom Russell and Alfie Woods

Charlotte Soccer Academy (CSA) is pleased to announce the addition of Manchester City staff coaches Tom Russell and Alfie Woods through the club’s official Development Program partnership with Manchester City. Woods will serve as CSA Man City Pre-ECNL Boys Head of Technical Development, while Russell will serve as CSA Man City Pre-ECNL Girls Head of Technical Development. In their new roles, both will continue to represent Manchester City while bringing the club’s player development philosophy, coaching methodology and academy expertise directly to CSA, further strengthening the collaboration between the two organizations.

Coach Alfie Woods brings eight years of coaching experience, including four seasons with City Football Group, where he has helped deliver Manchester City’s player development philosophy across multiple countries. Throughout his career, he has coached players across a variety of age groups and formats in the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Sweden and the United States, gaining extensive experience in elite player development within diverse football environments.

Woods has led U12 and U15 Elite Squad programs with a strong emphasis on individual player development and progression into professional academy environments. His experience includes designing Individual Development Plans, player performance analysis through Hudl, match preparation, talent identification and player progression meetings. In addition to developing players, Woods has played an integral role in coach education, mentoring staff members, delivering continuing professional development sessions and supporting the implementation of Manchester City’s coaching methodology across multiple programs.

Woods holds a UEFA B License and earned a First-Class Honors Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Coaching from Liverpool John Moores University.

Coach Tom Russell brings extensive experience delivering Manchester City’s coaching methodology across the club’s global network. Since joining Manchester City in 2020, he has coached players ages 6 through 18 while delivering coaching and coach education across Australia, Belgium, England, Oman, Switzerland, the United States and the United Arab Emirates. His work has focused on implementing Manchester City’s player development philosophy across a variety of age groups, ability levels and football environments.

Russell most recently supported the delivery of an elite football program at Rossall School through periodized planning, individual and team development, performance analysis and competitive fixtures, including links with the Manchester City Girls Academy. His work contributed to multiple team successes while helping players progress into elite academies and earn national team representation.

Russell holds a degree in Football Coaching and Talent Development, a UEFA B License and has completed Module 4 of the Manchester City Coaching Modules. His experience also includes creating position-specific training content, developing Individual Development Plans, producing player analysis and highlight packages and utilizing GPS performance data to monitor player workload, training demands and injury risk.

“I can’t wait to begin working with the players and staff at Charlotte Soccer Academy,” said Alfie Woods. I’m excited to bring the Manchester City methodology to CSA, creating a positive environment where players can develop with confidence, express themselves, and play an exciting brand of possession-based, attack-minded football.”

“I am looking forward to working with the players, families and coaches at Charlotte Soccer Academy and introducing the Manchester City Methodology and encouraging all players to play “beautiful football” in the upcoming season,” said Tom Russell.

“We are thrilled to welcome Alfie and Tom to Charlotte Soccer Academy,” said Executive Director Brad Wylde. “Our partnership with Manchester City is built on providing our players and coaches with meaningful access to one of the world’s premier football academies, and Alfie and Tom are outstanding examples of that commitment. Having current Manchester City Academy staff working directly with our players while continuing to represent Manchester City creates an incredible opportunity for our club. Their combined experience in technical development, talent identification, coach education and player progression will have an immediate impact on our players, coaches and families as we continue to elevate the standard across Charlotte Soccer Academy.”

Woods and Russell will officially begin working alongside Charlotte Soccer Academy in August, while continuing to represent Manchester City through the clubs’ official partnership.