Kurt Herd: Dundee coach now Dominica’s only full-time national-team staff
October 1, 2026 00:00
Kurt Herd, 34, from Dundee, has been appointed permanently as manager of Dominica’s men's national team after an initial short-term spell. He is currently the only Scottish coach leading an international men’s side and the sole full-time member of Dominica’s staff.
HOW HE RUNS THE JOB
Herd describes the experience as intense but rewarding. “A real whirlwind the last few weeks, but it's been amazing for me as a coach to go and test myself,” he told BBC Scotland. “It's been the toughest but the greatest three or four weeks of my career so far.”
With no full-time colleagues, Herd combines multiple roles that in larger set-ups would be handled by separate specialists — analyst, scout, nutrition adviser and even yoga instructor. He says the workload is relentless: “It's tough, to be honest - it's relentless. I'm doing everything at the minute.” His methods include one-to-one coaching, yoga and mindfulness, and a focus on diet and sleep. Herd also tries to model professional habits — he runs every morning and avoids drinking beer at night.
RECRUITMENT AND RESOURCES
Most of Dominica’s squad are amateurs drawn from the island’s domestic league, which Herd estimates is roughly comparable to Scotland’s League Two. Dominica’s population is about 65,000 and the national team is currently ranked 182nd in the world.
Rules limit Dominica to six overseas-based players. A rule change in January will permit Herd to recruit players with Dominican grandparents, widening his options. He has already used social media and a network of talent-spotters to identify players abroad — including goalkeeper Shamal George, formerly of St Mirren and Livingston and now at Bromley. Herd says he spends hours on Instagram and relies on contacts in the US, Canada, Europe and the UK to locate eligible players and contact clubs and agents.
BACKGROUND
Herd previously worked as a Dundee United academy coach and has coaching experience in Sweden, Australia, Malaysia and Kyrgyzstan. Along the way he has met figures such as Arsène Wenger.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Dominica are due to compete in the CONCACAF Nations League B this autumn. The January eligibility rule change will be a key development for Herd’s recruitment plans.