Ade Mafe: Tales from the Football Fitness Revolution
- Joshua Schneider-Weiler
- Aug 20, 2017
- 2 min read
Mafe was one of the first fitness coaches in the Premier League. He coached at Chelsea from 1996 until 2005 and then at Millwall, MK Dons, West Brom and Watford. He’s worked with world class players and coaches like Claudio Ranieri, Roberto Di Matteo, Gianfranco Zola and Jose Mourinho.
Before his coaching career he was an accomplished sprinter. He competed in the 200m in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles at the age of 17. He won a bronze medal in the 1990 Commonwealth Games.
In our conversation we discuss, the piece of wisdom Carl Lewis gave him, how premier leagues teams trained in 1996, how Rui Faria revolutionized football fitness and why he missed the first goal of the 1997 FA cup final.
You can follow Ade Mafe by checking out his website here and you can hire him to be your personal trainer.
Timeline
On having a protective high school coach 3:58
On going to the 1984 Olympics as a 17 year old 7:20
Advice from Carl Lewis 8:15
How Chelsea trained in 1996 13:20
Why there was an emergence of the fitness trainers and sports scientists in Premier 16:45
The fittest player he ever coached 18:10
How he motivated players 24:15
The fastest player he ever coached 26:34
How preseason fitness regimens have changed since 1996 30:00
Fitness levels Premier League vs Championship 37:00
Remembering the 1997 FA Cup final 41:10
The generosity of Roberto Di Matteo 46:55
How Rafa Benitez changed football staffing 54:10
How Rui Faria changed revolutionized football fitness 59:30
His funniest Chelsea memory 1:03:15
Reference
Covaciano (football fitness conference)
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