Meet United States assistant boss Anthony Hudson – the son of Chelsea and Arsenal icon Alan – who is looking to help engineer a World Cup victory over England

United States assistant boss Anthony Hudson believes his father Alan won’t be upset if he helps engineer a win over England at the World Cup.

The 41-year-old, whose father played for Chelsea, Arsenal as well as the Three Lions, is a key member of the US coaching staff heading to Qatar.

Instagram: @anthonyhudson.official

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After being promoted from his Under-20 role by head coach Gregg Berhalter, Hudson is looking to make a huge impression at the World Tournament.

It’s been five years since Hudson stepped down as New Zealand boss after failing to qualify for the World Cup in 2018 when they lost to Peru in their two-man play-off.

But he finally has a chance to show why Harry Redknapp once described him as a ‘young Jose Mourinho’ in 2011 before he was appointed to Newport.

Hudson was born in America in 1981 when his father Alan played for the Seattle Sounders before returning to England with his father, who joined Stoke four years later.

A former West Ham youth star, Anthony turned to coaching after failing in his ambition to turn professional after spells in the Netherlands with NEC Nijmegen and in the United States with Wilmington Hammerheads.

He landed his first managerial job aged 27 at American minnows Real Maryland, before returning to the UK to coach Tottenham reserves.

After moving to Newport, he spent some time in charge of the Bahrain national team, winning the OFC Nations Cup with New Zealand before resigning in 2017.

Just six days after leaving the All Whites, he took charge of MLS team Colorado Rapids where he lasted nearly three years, which eventually led to him joining the United States national team.

And despite being desperate to inflict defeat on Gareth Southgate’s side, Hudson insisted his father, who played twice for England in 1975, is rooted for America.

Speaking exclusively to talKSPORT, he said: “It’s interesting, because honestly it’s not like, ‘oh we’re gonna win, no we’re gonna win’ and those kind of jokes.

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“Because I have to be honest, my old man loves America and I think he believes in them and American football.

“When I was coaching in Colorado, he went out and spent a week, went to the DC United game where [Wayne] Rooney played, then he spent the week with us.

“He came to training – he actually came to one of the meetings and it was a very emotional moment for him because he loved his time here.

“And he also followed what is happening here, he obviously played for the [Seattle] Sounders, they’ve had it a couple of times and you know when this place is full in Seattle, it’s amazing.

“Once he came out he was giving a presentation on the pitch, so honestly he really wants America to succeed.

“And he believes we have potential and he believes in the players and he’s excited about that, so I think he’s excited for the [England] game really in that sense.

Hudson then reflected on the heartbreak he went through with New Zealand, remarking: “It was a really painful experience playing the game in Peru.

“You look back and you learn as a coach, first you learn so much, there are things you feel you could have done differently, but also at the end once you get over the pain – and it was painful.

“The easiest part was going into another job, so straight away you focus on that. I have to say I look back on all that experience and the journey we’ve had together as staff and players. like a really special time in my life.

“I think experiencing the Kiwi culture is something that I’m a better person for. It’s an amazing culture, to experience the humility of their culture and what family means and just really good people – hard working people.

“And sharing a journey through a qualifying process, tournaments, the Confederations Cup, the Nations League, it was all amazing.

“And discovering the Maori culture, it was a really incredible experience with a group of people who gave their all.

“But it was hard the last hurdle [missing out on 2018 spot].”

Relishing in his new role, Hudson believes this American team is the most technically gifted player the country has produced.

There’s an abundance of American stars plying their trade in Europe’s top five leagues, with Christian Pulisic, Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams and Antonee Robinson shining in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Giovanni Reyna and Joe Scally have been successful in the Bundesliga, former Arsenal academy ace Yunus Musah is lighting up La Liga with Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest impressive in Serie A.

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America fielded the youngest roster in World Cup qualifiers in the entire world, with an average age of 24 years and seven days.

When asked if this was the best crop of American talent ever, Hudson said, “Yeah, I think in terms of potential.

“America in the past has always had very, very good players.

“It feels a bit different in the sense that I feel the type of player that has been developed and is progressing – much more technical players.

“And also players who go to the best clubs in the big European leagues.

“I would say they’re a generation with a lot of potential, and we just have to keep supporting them and helping them develop and helping them in their club careers.”

England v USA is live on talkSPORT from 7pm on Friday November 25

“But we are also very young, we have top players and it’s exciting to see where they could go in their careers for sure.”

The United States kick off their World Cup campaign against Wales on November 21, before facing England and Iran.