What the People say... FEEDBACK -
What the People say... FEEDBACK -
Steve Sallis, one of the good guys. Worked with him on England Duty and still in touch with him to this day. One of the best player developers in world football. A must have in any football club.
Steve is what a lot of players believe to be a truly inspiring figure in the professional football world, and even after I left, his unorthodox methods of mentoring are what proved to be more useful than I ever would have anticipated.
I strongly value the relationship I built with Steve over 13 years and all of the advice and tips he gave me about football and life . They still serve purpose in my football career today. It is hard to express his importance to myself and other team mates but I'm sure he knows all that he did for us as a squad. Always grateful.
I have worked very closely with Steve Sallis for four years at Millwall Football Club. Steve has excellent communication skills. In addition, he is extremely organised, reliable, trustworthy and conscientious. He is able to identify, connect and engage positively with players and staff of all ages. He has taught me so many things about the behaviour of players and finding solutions to all problems. His understanding about motivation, rewards and sanctions of players is fascinating. When I have chosen to ignore Steve’s advice about player development I have often be wrong to do so. Steve is massively holistic about teaching players how to learn and so in a manner that is relevant. meaningful, and memorable.
Steve simply is unique. He won’t always say what you want to hear though!
In simple terms - I chose Steve Sallis to become my assistant manager. I had several options, hundreds in fact but it was obvious he was the stand out candidate. His professional experiences are off the charts and his understanding of how people operate and think is the best I have ever witnessed. When Steve speaks, people listen. He has that way. You can't coach that. His preparation is meticulous. His way with players is first class and his knowledge of the game unbelievable. He was good for me. Always calm but with a winning mentality. We taught eachother, but he taught me things I'll carry into management forever. What a guy.
Steve Morison - Former Cardiff City Manager
Steve Sallis was one of my first appointments and on my hitlist as “must haves” in the building. The man is the best I have worked with in his field. He has supported me in my role in every possible way. Our staff love him also. He says it as it is. I like that most about him. He’s honest!
Gavin Willacy - Football League Education Department and Author
Steve Sallis is unique. In 15 years of working with young footballers in professional football, I have never met or worked with anyone who believes in the athletes as much, who gives so much to them, who has thought about the process and what is best for the individuals themselves, and who has seen his club reap the rewards of that.
Steve transformed the culture of the academy at Millwall FC in the last four seasons and to such an extent that it is hard to believe they are recruiting from the same pool of talent as they were before he came to the club.
We now see 16-year-old athletes who are making the most of their raw ability, not just from a sporting perspective, but as academics and as people. By the time they are 18, most are extremely impressive young men who are fulfilling their potential. Part of that process was Steve’s doing.
As an academic and a sportsman, a coach and a teacher, a student and a fan, Steve comes at youth development and education from every angle and can see the whole picture like no other.
Mark Robinson - Chelsea u23’s Manager
Steve was my first appointment in my AFC Wimbledon managers role. He fills the football coaching gaps that no one else can. Complete team player.
Paul Stretch - National Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach - Great Britain and England Hockey
Having now spent a decade in sport, Steve has without question had the greatest influence on me as a coach. He is a constant source of inspiration to his peers, players and all those associated within the organisations he works for.
Steve has an outstanding technical knowledge about human behaviour which he communicates with clarity and consistency. I have witnessed first hand, his ability to initiate change in players attitudes and inspire innovation. He is a genuinely impactful individual who can transform even the toughest environments into ones which breed both learning and creativity.
Brad Collins - Barnsley Fc
Steve Sallis is the best in business. He has helped me so much on and off the pitch. The most cutting edge practitioner on the planet.
Larry Mcevoy - Millwall Under 18 Manager
I have known Steve for over ten years and am one of the few to have seen first hand how he has used his expertise, firstly with school children in his role as a senior teacher at a challenging south London secondary school and then with elite footballers at Millwall fc.
When working with elite athletes he is very approachable, shows enormous amounts of care and leaves them with confidence, enthusiasm and an eagerness to work hard and to their potential.
As a work colleague he is tremendously loyal, and not just to others, but to himself in what he stands for. He is always eager to sacrifice himself for the team and is simply the best practitioner at posing questions rather than always the obvious answers. When working with Steve he is always your "go to" man, and he has a uniqueness to make you concentrate on solutions rather then waste time on problems. (Concentrate on the controllables as he says)
I still feel personally his greatest role would be to help leaders, teaches, coaches and professionals in general to work more effectively which would then allow his work to touch more people as a ripple effect.
In my opinion of over 15 years in teaching and learning he is simply number one. A privilege to call him a colleague, friend and mentor.
Phill Hadland - Former Brighton, Rochdale and Leyton Orient Professional and now PE teacher
I first met Steve in 2010, he was my secondary school mentor at my first placement school during my Physical Education PGCE teacher training year. In that year, Steve was the key person who educated me and I was both lucky and privileged to be able to work closely with him on a daily basis. Steve taught me how to teach students from 11-18. Even now seven years on, I can honestly say that I have not seen a better secondary school teacher than Steve.
Steve and I have stayed close friends mainly due to our love of both teaching and football and also due to my deep respect for Steve. He is an expert in teaching and learning and his work rate and passion to succeed are second to none.
Steve is a leader and knows how to motivate and get the best out of people. He has got a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone. Steve is relentless in his work rate ensuring he succeeds in whatever pathway he chooses.
Russell Martin - Southampton Manager & Former Norwich City captain and Scotland International
Steve will be with me in the dug out in years to come there is no doubt. He has knowledge no one else possesses. An unbelievably unique professional. This man is a one off. Not often do you meet people as intelligent, yet so humble about their successes. Grateful he is in my circle!
Professional Athletes
What the People say... FEEDBACK -
What the People say... FEEDBACK -
Jacob Ramsey - Professional Footballer at Aston Villa F.C & England u21 CAPTAIN
Steve I have worked with now for a number of years in which he started out helping me with mindset. Steve is a hard working intelligent man and now a first team player we have been in contact the whole time weather it be a phone call or a meeting. He is very approachable and will always find time to help or talk to you no matter what.
Communication with Steve is never an issue. His positive mindset can help anyone if they were to talk with Steve. He is well respected by coaches and players around the country and has been a pleasure to work with. Long may it continue.
Aaron Ramsey - Professional Footballer Aston Villa FC and England U19 Captain
Steve Sallis is a vital ingredient in my performance world. We met on England Duty. He has helped me gain extra leadership skills from the way in which he communicates and his ability to think outside the box and as he calls it find “solutions not problems” on and off the pitch. Players know that in Steve’s presence we have to behave better. Sometimes we don’t know why this is so.
Sometimes Steve can be scary and as he calls it, will “gear change” on us regularly but he is also very kind. Steve is able to finds answers to psychological problems, Steve has always been thinking that one step beyond. Steve is a very hard working and reliable to all players. He always finds time for player’s needs. In my case... midnight!
Callum Brittain - Blackburn Rovers FC
Steve Sallis… The man is a mindset game changer! Get him in your LIFE!
Brooke Norton-Cuffy - Professional Footballer for Arsenal and England U21’s
I have known Steve since I joined Arsenal. We have remained in contact regularly since. He regular asks me to mentor the younger players he has worked with. Because of Steve's care and attention to players needs it is never a problem. Steve genuinely cares you see. That is rarity in professional football. You will hear Steve say "we not me" all the time as far as team cohesion is concerned. The man is a genius for the mind. No one better I have met. All players should use his services. I do!
Ryan Sandford - Millwall Professional and England U18 International -
Steve Sallis is without a doubt one of the best at his job in the country. His ideas have had a massive impact on me not just on the pitch but off the pitch also. His understanding of football, life and learning are second to none. His idea of being the best off the pitch have helped me develop my game on the pitch, and has given me a greater understanding of myself, and what I need to get better in all aspects of life. This is why Steve is well known to be one of the most skilled in the industry. He knows and understands what each player needs to do to reach maximum potential.
Steve also has a great relationship with many players and his understanding of players needs is superb. This enables him to build on relationships and help each individual to reach and achieve their goals and potential. Steve has personally helped me realise that, to be the best you have to want to be the best at everything. Only then, will you see progress on and off the pitch.
Harry Watling - Rangers FC 1st Team Coach
I have known Steve for over ten years since meeting him as a colleague at Millwall. We had never met previously, but started chatting and ended up starting a friendship that has lasted to this current day. How two people who had never met each other previously and are still great friends, shows the type of person Steve is as a human being - empathetic, understanding, curious and willing to listen intently and help people grow from any situation they encounter.
He has shown fantastic mentoring ability to me as my time as a professional coach - not on a tactical or technical aspect although of course he is well versed in these subjects, but on a human and emotional level, which is often hard to find in professional environments.
His background in working in some of the toughest, underprivileged school environments in south London give him experience that not many have - needing to transform the lives of vulnerable young people and having to be creative in order to do it have provided him with unique tools to lead, develop and guide human beings to reaching their potential using exemplary emotional intelligence as the foundation to everything he does.
A principled, loving, caring and 'see the best in everyone' mentality ensures he stands out from everyone else as the leader in his field!
Michael Turner - Ex Pupil - Former Charlton, Brentford, Hull, Sunderland and Norwich City Professional
Steve was my teacher whilst I was at school. He was greatly valued by all that knew him. We have stayed in touch for 20 years since and he has always been supportive of everything I have achieved. I have tried to repay his loyalty with school visits and now that he is working in professional football it is obvious what an impact he is having. A well respected and professional in the industry. No one says a bad word about the man.
Junior Stanislas - Ex Pupil - Current Professional Player at AFC Bournemouth . Formally of West Ham and Burnley FC
Mr Sallis... and now a friend called Steve. Where do I start. This guy was strict! But I needed it to be fair. This man is known as a legend by the kids that went to my school. He had the highest standards I can ever recall, but at the same time was able to inspire and have fun.
He was a mentor as well as a teacher for many pupils including myself. We are still in touch now regularly which says everything. I can always ask him for help and support when I need him. A genuine guy, who helps shape lives in sport and life!
Education
Paul Petty - Former Headteacher of Steve Sallis
In short, I thoroughly recommend Steve. I had the privilege of employing and working with him for a number of years as his Headteacher of a failing, into an aspiring and achieving inner-London comprehensive school. He has a gift for communication that not only made him an inspiring teacher but, importantly, enables others to attain goals that they believe are out of reach. I have always called Steve gifted, and I truly believe that to be the case as he can help all people he works with.
Chloe Mcewan - Former colleague
I worked with Steve for three years in a tough inner city London school, as a newly qualified teacher. He wasn’t assigned as my mentor but that didn’t matter one bit. I learnt so much from observing his pedagogy and his coaching style and the way he communicated with these young people and staff alike. He shared his knowledge and experience of teaching constantly and during that time helped me shape the type of teacher I wanted to be.
As a senior teacher he had a no nonsense approach but the students also saw the caring side he has and the passion he has for sport and the dedication to always strive for better. His work with students was superb. He inspired me, made me feel like I could be the best teacher and coach if I wanted. He motivated me when I was struggling to perform to my best. Lastly we had fun and I consider myself truly lucky to have worked with him and that I can always ask his advice and call him my friend.
Ian Thomson - Senior Teacher
Steve and I worked together for eight years as PE teachers and senior leaders. He is one of the most creative and innovative forces in teaching that I have seen.
He is a one-of-a-kind teacher that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. His energy and great ideas are inspirational and his enthusiasm is contagious. Steve’s teaching approach boosts students confidence and I simply love the way Steve inspires learners. He is so upbeat and his genuine care for others is out of this world. I could not recommend him enough – one of the most dynamic teachers ever!
Steffan Ball - Vice Principal
Where does one start with Steve Sallis. We met at University 20 years ago and worked together on two separate occasions. In our first stint he was my mentor and guide. An elite PE teacher with incredible attention to detail and an extraordinary passion for children to fulfill their potential. There are many teachers that go through the motions. Not Steve. His desire for excellence is the highest I have known. He has a legacy in south London. The kids loved him. Hard but fair, and just a great practitioner. 10 years later we worked on a leadership team together. To describe him as a school leader is easy. Wise, thoughtful and unbelievably knowledgable. Says it all.
Business