Rob Sherman (football manager)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Sherman | ||
| Date of birth | 21 August 1960 | ||
| Place of birth | Aberystwyth, Wales | ||
| Position | Left winger | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | South Island United (manager) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1975–1976 | Aberystwyth Reserves | ||
| 1975–1980 | Cardiff City | ||
| 1979–1980 | Swansea | ||
| 1980–1981 | Hull | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 2000–2007 | Wales U16 | ||
| 2011–2013 | Canada Women (assistant) | ||
| 2019–2020 | Canada (assistant) | ||
| 2023–2025 | Fiji | ||
| 2023–2025 | Fiji U23 | ||
| 2025 | Christchurch United | ||
| 2025– | South Island United | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Robert Sherman (born 21 August 1960) is a Welsh professional football manager and former player, who is currently manager of OFC Professional League club South Island United. From 2023 to 2025 he was the head coach of the Fiji national team.
Early life and education
Sherman grew up in Aberystwyth, Wales. He attended Ysgol Penglais School in Wales.[1]
Playing career
Sherman made his senior debut for Aberystwyth Reserves at age 15 and for the first team at 16. He moved to Cardiff City at 16 and spent three years with the club, before brief spells with Swansea and Hull. He primarily played as a left-winger.[2]
Managerial career
Sherman has been described as a "highly respected figure in football and coaching education globally".[3]
Wales
Sherman joined the Football Association of Wales in 1997 as an Area Coach, later becoming National Player Development Manager and Technical Director. He helped nurture talents such as Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.[4]
New Zealand
Sherman served as Technical Director for New Zealand Football, overseeing development programs and contributing to the growth of football in the country.[5]
Australia
In July 2018, Sherman joined Melbourne Victory FC as Technical Director, managing the National Premier League, Youth League, Women's, and Academy programs.[6]
In April 2019, he was appointed National Technical Director at Football Federation Australia, responsible for overseeing the National Football Curriculum, Pathways, Competitions, National Teams, Coach Development, and Participation. He resigned in March 2020, citing organizational challenges.[7]
Oceania
In 2022, Sherman joined the Oceania Football Confederation as High Performance Consultant, assisting with regional football development programs.[8]
Fiji
In May 2023, Sherman was appointed head coach of Fiji, overseeing the national team’s strategy and performance.[9]
He has also signed to become head coach of Christchurch United for the OFC Pro League.[10]
Coaching philosophy
Sherman advocates a player-centered approach, focusing on individual development within team dynamics. He shares his philosophy to educate and inspire coaches globally.[11]
Personal life
Sherman is the father of Welsh football manager Drew Sherman.
Managerial record
- As of match played 20 November 2025
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | Ref. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | |||||
| Fiji | 2023 | 2025 | 22 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 40.91 | ||
| Career Total | 22 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 40.91 | — | |||
References
- ^ "Profile".
- ^ "Rob Sherman - Otago Daily Times article".
- ^ "Rob Sherman slams the sport". smh.com.au.
- ^ "Fiji FA Confirms Sherman as National Football Head Coach".
- ^ "Rob Sherman Football Consultant".
- ^ "Rob Sherman Farewells Victory".
- ^ "FFA Appoints Rob Sherman Technical Director".
- ^ "Meet the Team: OFC High Performance Consultant".
- ^ "Fiji FA Confirms Sherman as National Football Head Coach".
- ^ "Former Fiji coach to lead Christchurch United in new Oceania Pro League". The Press. 2025-10-02. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
- ^ "Masterclass A Player-Centred Approach with Rob Sherman".