OneSoccer’s panel of Asa Rehman, Oliver Platt, and Gareth Wheeler was joined on Thursday by outgoing FC Edmonton coach Jeff Paulus for a special Player and Pundit Hangout episode.
Paulus gave a frank explanation of his departure from the club, depicting the mutual circumstances and the reasons behind his choice to ultimately step down as manager.
“I always felt heading into the event that this could be my last year with the club,” Paulus said.
He added that he’s happy to be moving into a new chapter of his life where he’ll get to spend more time with academy players and youth development. Paulus also revealed that, at times, the stress that comes with being a head coach weighed on him — he recalled a moment in PEI when it got to the point of chest pains, such was the anxiety.
The panel went around to give their thoughts on what needs to happen at FCE, with everyone agreeing that there are plenty of positives around the club. Paulus, for his part, was confident they’re heading in the right direction.
“What do we have to do to change things? Well, we’re doing that because we’re getting a new manager,” he said.
The group went on to discuss plenty of other topics, from which Edmonton players could make the jump to the next level, to which CPLer is the best in the league (Paulus said Kyle Bekker). Paulus also revealed that he believes Forge FC’s Bobby Smyrniotis is the best tactician in the CPL.
“(Bobby)’s a great tactician, and grows a great beard. I shaved mine because he was so nice,” Paulus quipped.
To watch Thursday’s OneSoccer Player & Pundit Hangout with Jeff Paulus in full, click here.