For more than 25 years, Roberto has been involved in performance consulting and coaching in professional sport and business. A recognised authority on the psychology of performance and group dynamics, Roberto is regularly invited to speak around the world on TV, radio and at various conferences on performance related topics. He has extensive experience in both sporting and business worlds and has extensively studied various forms of positive psychology techniques, including cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, solution focussed therapy, and a variety of counselling and NLP techniques. Whilst working in many sports, including a host of Olympic Sports and tennis, Roberto specialises in football performance psychology, where he works with Premier League managers and clubs. He is also a regular specialist contributor to the League Manager’s Association Manager Magazine, writing on a number of performance related issues for managers, leaders and teams.
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. The Brentford side included many players who have had tremendous progress over the years, including Ivar Ingimarsson, Ibrahima Sonko, Steve Sidwell, Stephen Hunt, Paul Smith and Jay Tabb.
When Steve left Brentford and joined Brighton and Hove Albion, he again invited Roberto to join him as first team coach. A successful period at Brighton saw Steve Coppell being offered the Reading FC manager’s 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.
Roberto went on to work as an FA Tutor, then joining the English Institute of Sport on a 2-day a week contract as their psychologist in London, where he looked after a host of Olympic athletes. From the EIS Roberto joined the Lawn Tennis Association as their National Performance Psychologist, where his responsibility included looking after the best tennis talent in the country, including a successful spell with Andy Murray.
For the past few years Roberto’s main work is with football managers and clubs, helping to create high-performance cultures and improved results in a competitive and highly volatile professional football environment. His work has included various consultancy roles at Norwich City, Fulham, West Ham United, Southampton, Charlton and Brentford, working with a number of managers including Chris Hughton, Alan Pardew, Chris Powell, Alan Curbishley and Steve Coppell.
In 2016 Roberto founded and released the MYND App – a personal development digital audio app. The app was developed initially to bring easily accessible research and evidenced-based psychology content to existing and potential clients; whilst building the app, however, the opportunities to engage with a much wider audience became apparent. Even before any marketing the app was downloaded in over 45 countries and is currently (Feb 2017) being piloted on a new initiative called DIVERT, which engages young offenders – whereby MYND is being used as a support mechanism for young people.
“Maximising potential with the resources at your disposal”