LFC International Academies around the world rely on a network of experienced head coaches to deliver LFC programmes of the highest quality. One such coach is Ara Bedrossian, Head Coach of LFC International Academy Cyprus.

A former international footballer, Ara moved in to coaching immediately following his decision to hang-up his boots in 2003. He swiftly transitioned from playing for Apoel Nicosia in to a new role heading-up an academy venue on behalf of the club. It was to prove the catalyst for a successful full-time coaching career.

From amateur footballer to international hero

Born in Cyprus, the invasion of his native country in 1974 meant that Ara moved to England with his parents, aged just seven-years-old.

Upon his arrival in the UK, he soon began playing football at an amateur level. He had represented the county of Surrey by the time he was 13-years-old and was invited to train with Tottenham Hotspur and Luton Town during his mid-teens.

It was during a holiday back to his native Cyprus that a career as a professional footballer would become a reality though.

A chance conversation while back in his hometown of Nicosia led to an invite to train with the Apoel Nicosia first team. It was a first team that included Reds legend Terry McDermott, who himself has just signed for the Cypriot club. Ara impressed during the session and was invited to play in a friendly match the following day.

Aged just 17, he came off the bench for the last 20 minutes and created two goals. He was offered a contract on the back of that game and in the space of a couple of days had gone from amateur footballer to professional footballer. He could also count a Liverpool hero who had won three European Cups at Anfield as a teammate, a connection that would turn Ara in to a passionate Reds fans himself.

His career as a player would be fascinating. He won three league titles at Apoel, played in the European Cup himself and had the honour of representing Cyprus at both under-21 and senior level, including playing in a host of World Cup and European Championship qualifying matches.

In the 1990s, his career brought him back to the UK. He joined QPR on a one-year loan from Apoel. It was a QPR team that was preparing to compete in the newly-formed English Premier League at the start of the 1992/93 season. He never made the breakthrough to the first team at Loftus Road, but did impress Ray Lewington who was Fulham's assistant manager which led to a transfer to Craven Cottage.

His initial spell at Fulham was successful with the team losing just one of eight matches with him in the team. When the season ended, Ara returned to Cyprus where he was still contracted by Apoel.

There was interest from both Birmingham City and Middlesbrough in that summer of 1993, and it was Boro he joined for the 1993/94 season, again on loan. However, with Ara missing Fulham and Fulham fans missing their attacking midfielder, his absence in a pre-social media world meant that Fulham fans had no idea of his whereabouts. A Fulham fanzine titled "Where's Ara?" was created on the back of it, and fans clamoured for the club to re-sign him.

While his loan spell at Middlesbrough was brief, it wasn't as simple as him re-joining Fulham thereafter. He remained under contract with Apoel, and Fulham did not have the funds to pay a transfer fee. Eventually, an agreement was reached, and the Craven Cottage faithful were reunited with the player whom they had titled the "Messiah".

He spent two years with the club before moving to play football in Sweden and eventually returned to Apoel in Cyprus. As far as his playing career goes, it was that time at Fulham that he remembers most fondly.

Ara said: "My time at Fulham was one of the best periods of my career. The club were very family-orientated and the supporters treated me like a hero and were very crazy about me. At times I was referred to by them as "the Messiah", "the chosen one" and the "midfield wizard". It was a huge honour and a very enjoyable time for me."

Bedrossian's path to coaching The Liverpool Way

Aged 35, Ara decided to retire from playing. His playing career had brought him up against the likes of Gullit and van Basten, he'd starred in TV commercials alongside Paolo Maldini and played professionally in three countries.

However, it was time for something new. Ara admits he did not anticipate a move in to coaching, but the Technical Director at Apoel had other ideas.

Ara recalls: "They (Apoel) wanted to use my professional profile to open up an academy at a new venue and build that around me. I accepted their offer and this was the beginning of my coaching career."

Despite initial nerves, it was a profession that he slotted in to easily and would go on to achieve several coaches' badges and qualifications. He led an Arsenal programme and worked as a scout in the South-East Europe region.

However, his days of playing alongside McDermott had made Ara a staunch Liverpool fan, and an opportunity too good to turn down was to present itself in 2017.

Ara said: "Phivos Constantinides, General Director of GSP Stadium in Cyprus, approached me about the possibility of opening up an LFC International Academy in Cyprus and wanted to know if I would be interested in working at the academy as the Head Coach.

"When everything was agreed, Phivos called me to tell me I was flying over to Liverpool for a few days to join up with the LFC International Academy team.

"Spending those days at the Academy in Kirkby watching the coaches deliver sessions at the Soccer Schools, being given a tour around the training center and watching Steven Gerrard taking a session was a fantastic experience."

On a personal level, being involved with LFC and representing the club in Cyprus has been a tremendous honour for Ara, while it's also aiding his professional development. The close link between the technical staff in Liverpool and those coaches working at International Academies around the world has been pivotal.

Ara said: "I continue to have the support from the LFC team of coaches in the UK. They are constantly giving me an insight into every possible aspect of what is required as a head coach of LFC IA.

"The coaching curriculum is an opportunity for any coach to maximize their own development, as well as a chance to enjoy furthering their own skills in coaching The Liverpool Way."

LFC International Academy Cyprus has gone from strength-to-strength since its launch in 2017, and in Ara's opinion, there is a constant theme that helps makes the programme so successful not only in Cyprus, but around the world.

"It's club values," says Ara.

"They are very special. They underline the authenticity of LFC's coaching programme around the world, from the first team through to the International Academies.

"The club has touched millions of children, parents, coaches and players over the world and will do in the future. Liverpool is a part of football history and one of the world's leading football teams.

"As a club, it takes pride in contributing towards the development and improvement of their coaching programme around the world, as well as continuing the development of participants at International Academies both as players and people."

For more information about LFC International Academy Cyprus, visit their website at http://www.lfcacademy.cy.net/.