Anthony Hudson (soccer)

Anthony Patrick Hudson (born March 11, 1981) is a professional football manager who is currently the head coach of Al-Markhiya.

Hudson was born in Seattle on March 11, 1981, to former Chelsea, Stoke City, Arsenal professional player and England international Alan Hudson.

Raised in England, he attended Millfield School.

Hudson started playing in the youth system at Premier League club West Ham United, before being loaned to Luton Town.

After being released by West Ham, Hudson signed a two-year deal with Dutch First Division team NEC Nijmegen.

After six months, however, he asked to be released and returned home to England.

In 2005, Hudson became player-assistant head coach of USL Second Division team Wilmington Hammerheads, having spent the previous two years working as an academy coach at AC Diablos SC.

He then moved to American lower division club Wilmington Hammerheads in 2006, ultimately appearing in 10 league games.

On October 28, 2008, Hudson was named as Real Maryland Monarchs head coach at the age of 27.

He was the youngest professional manager (head coach) in the U.S at the time.

In his first season as manager he led the club, which had finished bottom of the table in 2008, to fifth place and a Playoffs spot, their first visit to the post-season.

Real Maryland were knocked out in the quarter-final after a 3–1 defeat by the Charlotte Eagles.

Hudson was also nominated for the USL Second Division 2009 Coach of the Year Award.

In the 2010 USL Second Division, Real Maryland finished last, having not won in their final ten games of the season.

After overcoming Reading United in the first round of the 2010 US Open Cup, Real Maryland were knocked out in the second round by the Richmond Kickers.

Hudson left Real Maryland at the conclusion of the 2010 season after two seasons in charge.

After leaving Real Maryland following the 2010 season, Hudson returned to the United Kingdom to take up a post coaching Tottenham Hotspur's reserves.

A further three wins and two losses followed as Newport County finished ninth in the 2010–11 Conference Premier.

In April 2011, Hudson, aged 30, was appointed manager of Conference Premier club Newport County with seven games remaining of their 2010–11 season.

He arrived with a "glittering reference" from Harry Redknapp, who likened him to "a young José Mourinho".

Hudson took charge of Newport County for the first time in a 2–1 home victory over Darlington.

In July 2011, Hudson was working towards the UEFA Pro Licence with the English Football Association.

On September 28, 2011, with Newport having won only once in their first 12 games, Hudson was sacked, despite new signing David Pipe stating "we've lost quite a few games lately but everyone is definitely behind the gaffer", and senior players "contacting the press to let the fans know what the players think".

Following Hudson's departure, Newport Chairman Chris Blight was quoted as saying "We are a quarter of the way through the season and to be where we are, to Newport County Football Club is not what we expected or anticipated."

Hudson became one of the youngest coaches to earn the UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching award in football, in 2012.

On March 21, 2012, Hudson was appointed manager of the Bahrain under-23 team.

He was brought in to coach the national under-23 and Olympic team by Peter Taylor, national team coach of Bahrain senior team.

Hudson led Bahrain under-23 to the final of the 2012 U23 Gulf Cup, eventually losing 2–0 to Saudi Arabia under-23.

Hudson then worked under Argentinian coach Gabriel Calderón after Taylor's sacking on October 17, 2012.

Hudson signed a two-year extension as the Bahrain under-23 manager in June.

On August 13, 2013, Hudson was appointed manager of Bahrain, succeeding Calderón.

In January 2014, Hudson led Bahrain to a third-place finish at the 2014 WAFF Championship.

After 0–0 draws against Oman and Iraq, Bahrain made the semi-finals of the tournament due to a drawing of lots.

Hudson has managed Bahraian and New Zealand, one of two international teams from the AFC, leading both teams for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup and 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in the process.

Hudson also became the youngest ever manager to lead a team in FIFA Confederations Cup history while managing New Zealead.

In 2023, Hudson had briefly been the interim coach of the United States national team, before stepping down before the start of the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League finals.

Hudson first took charge of Bahrain in a 2–1 friendly loss to Kuwait in September followed by wins over Malaysia and Yemen in November, which secured Bahrain qualification for the 2015 Asian Cup.

Hudson was listed as a potential candidate as coach of Denmark in October.

Hudson led the Bahrain U23 team to their first title at the U23 Gulf Cup of Nations, beating Saudi Arabia in the final.

This was the first official gold medal the Bahrain U23 national team have won in their history.