The League Managers Association is truly saddened to learn of the death of Dermot Drummy, a highly respected football manager and coach who was a friend to many throughout the game.
Dermot was studying towards the LMA Diploma in Football Management, in association with the University of Liverpool, to build on his experiences as a football manager having played such a significant role in the careers of many young footballers at Arsenal and Chelsea before he became Head Coach at Crawley Town.
Course Director Professor Sue Bridgewater said: “Dermot was a wonderfully down to earth and caring man, with extensive experience and knowledge, who made such a positive contribution to the course. I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing and my thoughts are with Dermot's family and friends at this sad time."
Northampton Town manager and fellow LMA Diploma student Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink said: “I’m shocked and saddened by this terrible news. Dermot was so instrumental and helpful for me at the beginning of my coaching career at Chelsea. He was such a gentleman and will be missed by everyone who has been studying alongside him on the LMA Diploma. My thoughts are with his family.”
Dermot’s coaching career began at Arsenal in 1999, returning to the club where he himself played in the youth team. Having assisted in the development of many young players at Arsenal, Dermot moved to Chelsea in 2007. Following in the footsteps of Brendan Rodgers and Paul Clement, Dermot took responsibility for Chelsea’s Under-18 side and led the club to its first FA Youth Cup title in 49 years, a competition which the club has dominated ever since.
He made the step up to reserve team level in 2011, where he achieved further success in the revamped Under-21 format, before realising his ambitions to become Manager of Crawley Town in League Two in May 2016.
Paying tribute to Dermot, LMA Chairman Howard Wilkinson said: “Dermot was a highly valued and respected member of the football community.
“His abilities and achievements as a coach are embodied in some of the Premier League’s most talented young players of the past two decades. He has played a crucial and supportive role in the lives of so many young people and will be sorely missed by all at the LMA.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”
