Simon Rusk

Playing career

Boston United

Rusk was born in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, and grew up in the suburb of Bretton. He joined the Peterborough United youth system in 1995 and had a spell on loan in the Southern Football League Premier Division with Cambridge City during the 1999–2000 season. He was signed on a free transfer by Boston United in March 2001 after being released by Peterborough. His Boston debut came in March 2001 in a match at Doncaster Rovers. He was fined by manager Steve Evans for receiving a red card against Shrewsbury Town in December 2005. He had surgery on a knee injury in December 2006, which ruled him out until after Christmas.

Northwich Victoria

He left Boston to join Northwich Victoria on a free transfer on 2 July 2007, being signed by former Boston teammate Neil Redfearn. Rusk scored on his debut for Northwich, in the 2–1 loss against Ebbsfleet United, which was the first game for Ebbsfleet under this name, having previously been known as Gravesend & Northfleet. In September 2007, Rusk was placed on the club's transfer list and joined Rushden & Diamonds on a one-month loan later that month.

York City

Manager Dino Maamria confirmed in January 2008 he was to move, with Weymouth believed to be his next destination. However, he signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with York City on a free transfer on 8 January. He made his debut in the team's 2–0 win against Aldershot Town in January and finished the season with 14 appearances for the club. He suffered a medial knee ligament injury during York's 1–1 draw with Torquay United on 28 August, which saw him substituted for Niall Henderson in the 73rd minute. He made his return on 20 September in a 1–1 with Salisbury City. He scored the winning penalty for York in a 4–2 penalty shoot-out victory against Mansfield Town in the Conference League Cup third round on 4 November, which finished 1–1 after extra time. He started in the FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium on 9 May 2009, which York lost 2–0 to Stevenage Borough. He was released by York following the end of the 2008–09 season, during which he made 47 appearances and scored one goal.

Crawley Town

Rusk joined Conference Premier team Crawley Town on 27 May 2009. He made his debut as a 22nd-minute substitute in a 4–0 defeat against Mansfield Town. Rusk went on to feature regularly during his first season for the club, making 42 appearances, many of which were at right-back. He was offered a new one-year contract in April 2010, which he signed in May. In February 2011, Rusk was an 81st minute substitute in Crawley Town's 1–0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Due to a number of serious injuries, he retired following the end of the 2010–11 to take a role with Crawley's Centre of Excellence ahead of their first season in the Football League. He was appointed a youth team coach at Brighton & Hove Albion on 6 March 2012, a role involving overseeing the development of the club's scholars and managing the under-18 team.

Coaching career

Brighton & Hove Albion U23s

Rusk was appointed U23s Head coach in March 2015, stepping up from his role as U18s coach.

In February 2016, he was promoted to first-team coach by Chris Hughton until the end of the season, replacing the outgoing Nathan Jones. In the sixteen remaining games of the season, they lost just once as they sealed third-place in The Championship, missing out on automatic promotion by goal difference.

In the first year of Premier League 2's current format - he guided the Seagulls to an 8th-placed finish and reached the last sixteen of the EFL Trophy.

The following year, his side finished third in the league and won promotion to Premier League 2 Division 1 - the highest level for U23s football - for the first time ever, following a 2–0 victory over Aston Villa in the play-offs.

The 2018–2019 season saw a string of impressive results, including a 5–0 win over Manchester City , as they went unbeaten in their first six games. Rusk's side finished the season in third-place, higher than a number of established academies, including Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and West Ham United.

Despite losing a number of key players to the senior squad in 2019–20, the side continued their good form and reached the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy for a second time under Rusk's management.

Stockport County

On 27 January 2021, Rusk became the manager of National League side Stockport County. On 27 October 2021, the club confirmed they had parted ways with Rusk.

Dundee

On 17 February 2022, Rusk was announced as assistant manager of Scottish Premiership side Dundee under his assistant manager at Stockport, Mark McGhee until the end of the season. After the side was relegated with just one win in the duo's time there, it was confirmed in May 2022 that Rusk would take up a role with the English FA.

England

On 13 May 2022, Rusk was appointed a national coach with England men's teams. On 16 August 2022, it was confirmed that Rusk would take charge of the England U19s.

Nottingham Forest

On 13 December 2023, it was revealed that Rusk had been hired as a specialist set-piece coach at Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

Southampton

On 1 July 2024, he was announced as head coach of Southampton U21s. Following the sacking of Russell Martin on 15 December 2024, Rusk was appointed interim manager of Southampton. Rusk took charge of two matches for the club before the appointment of new manager Ivan Jurić, a 2–1 home defeat against Liverpool in the EFL Cup on 18 December and a 0–0 draw against Fulham in the Premier League on 22 December. On 24 February 2025, Rusk joined Jurić's backroom staff as a first team coach.

Following the departure of Jurić on 7 April, Rusk agreed to become interim manager for the remainder of the season with Adam Lallana joining him as assistant. On 19 April, Rusk led Southampton to a 1–1 draw against West Ham United which saw them reach 11 points, and thus avoid breaking Derby County's record for the lowest points tally in Premier League history. On 25 June, Southampton confirmed that Rusk had left the club.

Career statistics

:A. The "League" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Football League and Football Conference. :B. The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Conference League Cup, FA Trophy and Football League Trophy.

Managerial statistics

|- |Stockport County |27 January 2021

Honours

Player

Boston United

• Football Conference: 2001–02

Crawley Town

• Conference Premier: 2010–11

Coach

Brighton & Hove Albion U23s

• Premier League 2: Division 2 Play-Off Winner 2017–18

References

References

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2. (5 February 2020). "This is why Cambridge United are so determined to land Brighton under-23s manager Simon Rusk". Brighton & Hove Independent.
3. Swann, Alan. (28 January 2021). "Boy from Bretton replaces former Peterborough United boss as Stockport County manager". Peterborough Telegraph.
4. "Simon Rusk Career History". Up The Posh!.
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7. (12 December 2005). "Talbot and Rusk have to pay price". BBC Sport.
8. (2 November 2006). "Rusk sidelined until the New Year". BBC Sport.
9. Simpson, Andrew. (5 January 2008). "Rusk heads for Vics exit". Northwich Guardian.
10. (11 August 2007). "Ebbsfleet 2–1 Northwich". BBC Sport.
11. (8 January 2008). "York recruit Vics midfielder Rusk". BBC Sport.
12. (26 January 2008). "York 2–0 Aldershot". BBC Sport.
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14. (28 August 2008). "Torquay 1–1 York". BBC Sport.
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20. (8 August 2009). "Mansfield 4–0 Crawley". BBC Sport.
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22. (7 May 2010). "CTFC – Posted 7th May 2010". Crawley Town F.C.
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39. John Percy. "#nffc have appointed their first ever specialist set-piece coach. England u19s head coach Simon Rusk - a former Brighton u23s manager - has started his role this week.".
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