For more than 20 years, Roberto has been involved in coaching and performance consulting in professional sport and business. A recognised authority on the psychology of performance, group dynamics, football and tennis psychology, Roberto is a regular speaker on a variety of performance related topics around the world. He has extensive experience in the Academic, Sporting and Business worlds and has studied various forms of psychology including COgnitive Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Counselling and NLP techniques.

Roberto has a strong coaching background in football, having started coaching amateur teams in the mid 80s. He progressed to coaching in non-league football, with the likes of Croydon, Chipstead and a thoroughly enjoyable spell at Dulwich Hamlet FC. In the meantime, following an invitation by coach Nick Darvill, he had also started coaching youth Academy football at Charlton Athletic and then Crystal Palace FC, where, what was to be a significant and highly rewarding working relationship began with Steve Coppell.

During this time, after attending a Manager’s & Coaches Course, where Steve McClaren spoke of the impact of ‘psychology’ on the game, Roberto enrolled on a Psychology Diploma. He found the content so enjoyable he then commenced an MSc in Sport Sciences at Brunel University (which was to prove another longer term relationship with the University).

Roberto was then invited to work at Crystal Palace as a sport science coach by Steve Coppell and later by Alan Smith. When Steve moved to Brentford he invited Roberto to join as a first team coach and reserve team manager. A highly successful season followed, ending with a Play-Off Final at the Millenium Stadium. TheBrentford side included many players who have had tremendous progress over the years, including Ivar Ingimarsson, Ibrahima Sonko, Steve Sidwell, Stephen Hunt (all at Reading FC) Paul Smith (Forest), andJay Tabb (Coventry).

When Steve left Brentford and joined Brighton and Hove Albion, he again invited Roberto to join him as first team coach. Again, a successful period saw Steve Coppell being offered the Reading FC managers role.

During this time, Roberto maintained his personal development attending FA Courses, including the Manager’s and Coaches Courses at Mottram Hall. It was on one of these courses that he was asked to be co-presenter and interpreter for the Italian World Cup manager. Arrigo Sacchi (formerly of AC Milan), for a lecture and practical coaching session. He was later invited to repeat this role with Italian Seria A Champion’s Roma manager, Fabio Capello (now England manager) on the FA Pro-Licence. Roberto completed the FA Diploma in Fitness and FA Diploma in Psychology, and was also invited to travel with the England U19 Team to Italy by the former Technical Director, Les Reed (now at Southampton FC). The team included Dean Ashton, Michael Chopra and Stuart Downing. Big influences on his coaching development were made by three superb coach educators Alex Welsh, Les Reed and Dick Bate.

After completing his MSc, where he gained a distinction, Roberto underwent his BASES (British Association of Sport and Exercise Scientists) Accreditation, under the guidance of his psychology mentor, Dr Costas Karageorghis of Brunel University. He is now studying for his Doctorate on the Applied Psychological Effects of Video in Sport.

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