Kevin Hitchcock

Kevin Hitchcock, born on October 5, 1962, in Canning Town, London, began his football journey playing non-league football for Barking. After a brief period on Chelsea’s youth books without making a definitive impact, he joined Nottingham Forest in 1983 for £15,000. Although he did not make a first-team appearance for Forest, his time there was a stepping stone to a significant playing career. In 1984, he moved to Mansfield Town, initially on loan, before joining permanently for £140,000. During his four seasons with Mansfield, Hitchcock played a crucial role in the club’s promotion from the Fourth Division in 1986 and was instrumental in their 1987 Football League Trophy victory, saving two penalties in the shootout against Bristol City. His performance during this period, including being named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 1987–88 Third Division, established his reputation as a capable goalkeeper.

Hitchcock’s career progressed when he joined Chelsea in March 1988 for £250,000. He remained with Chelsea until 2001, making 96 league appearances. His tenure at Chelsea saw him contribute to the team’s success, including winning the FA Cup in 1996–97, the Football League Cup in 1997–98, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1997–98, and the UEFA Super Cup in 1998. Despite facing challenges with injuries and competition from other goalkeepers, he maintained a valuable presence within the club. His final appearance for Chelsea was against Tottenham in May 1999. Following his playing retirement, Hitchcock transitioned into coaching, beginning as a goalkeeping coach at Watford in 2001.

His coaching career has been extensive, marked by roles at several prominent clubs. After leaving Watford in 2004, he joined Blackburn Rovers as goalkeeping coach, followed by spells at Manchester City (2008–2009), West Ham United (2010), Fulham (2010–2011), Queens Park Rangers (2012–2015), and Birmingham City (2016–2018). In July 2018, he took on an international role with Indian Super League club Chennaiyin FC. Since April 2019, Kevin Hitchcock has served as the goalkeeping coach for MLS side New England Revolution, a position he currently holds. Throughout his career, both as a player and a coach, Hitchcock has consistently worked within professional football, dedicating himself to the sport.