NOTTINGHAM-BORN Charlie Trout has revealed how he went from working as a postman to becoming one of the youngest international football managers in the world.
The 37-year-old was appointed as head coach of the Puerto Rico national team in March and he is now on the verge of leading his players to their first-ever CONCACAF Gold Cup.
But before he became a coach, the former Leeds academy star balanced several jobs while playing part-time on weekends.
Trout, who grew up on the Clifton Estate in Nottingham, told SportBible: "I was a builder. I was a painter and decorator. I was a postman. You name it. I've done it.
"I was an apprentice roofer as well. I carried tiles up and down a ladder all day.
"I wasn't the biggest lad so other apprentices were carrying eight tiles up a ladder and I was carrying two or three. And they were ripping me. So I'd try and do more. I nearly fell off the ladder on several occasions. It just wasn't for me."
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Speaking about his time as a postman, he added: "I was still out there at seven o'clock at night trying to go through my round.
"I was just trying everything that could offer some kind of balance with football and then finally, believe it or not, I landed a job as an aerobics instructor."
Shortly after calling quits on his playing career, Trout was invited to play in an organised game at his former club, Lincoln.
After the full-time whistle, he was approached by a scout who asked if he would consider a full-time scholarship at the University of Illinois Chicago.
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The ex-midfielder added: "I was 22, I had split with my girlfriend maybe six months before and was an aerobics instructor. I was just like, 'Let's just do it. Let's just have a go. If I didn’t like it then I'd just come home.’"
Although he initially attempted to go professional as a player in the US, Trout eventually set his sights on coaching and landed a job at MLS club Chicago Fire.
After a while in the role, he started a video analysis company.
During this time he formed a connection with the Puerto Rico national team after agreeing to help then-manager Dave Sarachan.
The pair formed a close bond, so much so that Sarachan wanted Trout to take over from him when he left his position at the Blue Hurricane earlier this year.
Trout revealed: "Dave left and they offered me the job. It was an opportunity I couldn't turn down.
"Some people will say, 'Well, I didn't realise Puerto Rico had their own team because they're part of America.' But football is growing massively here.
"We have young, eager, committed players that have a passion for the game. And even though football in the country is not top of their list of sports. It's growing. The love is starting to get there."
Trout's team will face Martinique on Tuesday evening.
The winner of the match will secure qualification for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
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