Simon Rusk appointed assistant coach at CD Castellón.

Simon brings an outstanding breadth of experience to the role, having worked across elite youth development, professional football, international football and senior management.

The Englishman began his coaching career at Brighton & Hove Albion, where he rose to lead the club’s Under-23 side. During his time at Brighton, Simon played an important role in the development of players including Viktor Gyökeres, Robert Sánchez and Ben White, while also contributing to the first-team environment.

He subsequently moved into senior football with Stockport County, before working with England Under-19s and later joining the senior England national team set-up as an opposition analyst for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Simon has also held senior coaching positions with Nottingham Forest and Southampton, where he coached the B team before taking interim charge of the Southampton first team in the Premier League in 2025.

A holder of the UEFA Pro Licence, Simon’s experience encompasses player development, opposition analysis, tactical preparation and senior team management.

A special connection with Iconz

Simon has also been a hugely valued member of the Iconz coaching team, having worked on the Iconz Florida Residential Camp for the past three years.

During that time, Simon has shared his knowledge and experience with young players from across the United States, giving them a genuine insight into the standards, demands and practices of elite professional football.

His involvement with the camp has been a fantastic opportunity for our players, and we are incredibly proud to see him continue to progress at the highest levels of the game.

Everyone at Iconz Elite would like to congratulate Simon on his appointment at CD Castellón and wish him every success in Spain.

We look forward to welcoming him back to Florida in the future.