Having been part of the England and Great Britain set up since 2005, Danny Kerry has today announced he has stepped down as coach of the men’s team.

Kerry, who coached the women’s teams for more than a decade over two spells also had a period as the Performance Director as well as taking charge of the men’s side in 2018.

Kerry’s medal haul makes him the most successful hockey coach in British history.
As coach of the women’s team he helped them win a first-ever Olympic gold at Rio 2016, having also taken bronze in London four years earlier. He also led England’s women to 2015 EuroHockey Championship gold in London and a host of other World, European and Commonwealth medals.
He took the men’s teams to a fourth-place finish at the World Cup and to fifth at the Tokyo Olympics.
In 2017 he was made an MBE for services to hockey.

“Although this is not a decision I intended to take looking to this Olympic cycle, it is the right one for both the team and myself.” said Kerry.

“There is no doubting the talent that lies within the individuals of the men’s squad, and the good news is that there is a young crop also set to emerge and fill positions within the side. The capacity to win big is there and I truly wish them well for the future. I am deeply saddened I won’t be part of that future, but such is life.

“I have given everything over the last 17 years, perhaps at times too much, but I would not swap the life experiences I have had for anything. I have had the privilege of working alongside and with truly brilliant people, at some of the most amazing moments in the history of our sport.”

Great Britain Hockey’s Performance Director Ed Barney paid tribute to Kerry’s ‘effort, commitment, choices, sacrifices and passion.’

“Danny’s contribution to hockey cannot be understated: so much of the success over the past 17 years – international medals, the professionalisation of our international programme, a step-change in the visibility of our sport – has been directly related to a very special man.” said Barney.

“He leaves a legacy in so many different ways from which there can be so much pride and hopefully contentment for him personally.

“It is only right to also thank Danny’s family who have played a huge role over the years – endless trips for him across many continents, often for long periods, where I’ve no doubt Lisa, Anna and Orla have missed their husband and dad.”

Assistant coach Zak Jones will lead the squads on an interim basis and England Hockey will also now look for a permanent head coach.