Themes quickly emerged. The space is drenched in natural light in response to the old building’s ground floor – “it felt like you were in a hospital in the basement,” said Sir Jim during his speech. There is now a more natural flow between areas, designed for the mobility of staff and greater collaboration.
Data is everywhere, too. It fuels the entire operation.
In the gym, staff sit in a hub measuring in real time and projecting on to giant screens, advising players of their physical condition and performance. Bikes and rowing machines sit in a ‘high altitude’ room where oxygen levels can be adjusted at the touch of a button - “even I could get fit in there,” remarked one guest.
There are four pools with different purposes: swimming, cold plunge, hot plunge and one with an underwater treadmill for rehabilitation, complete with media centres. The sauna and steam rooms are much bigger. The newly located treatment room now has panoramic windows looking out to the training pitches, in direct contrast to the previous space that was dark and introspective. The intention is to create a more positive, healthy experience - "light at the end of the tunnel", so to speak. MRI, CT and whole-body scanners are nearby, as well as cryotherapy and hyperbaric chambers, with innovative deep sleep meditation pods coming soon.
Data flows through the operation and, notably, into the ‘cinema’ room where analysis meetings are held, playing back footage and presentations to the players, with the coaching staff stood at the back of the amphitheatre. The leather seats were so comfy our group didn't want to leave.
The dressing room lockers include LED touchscreens that display each players’ schedules, nutrition and messages from staff. In a true sign of 2025, 'smart urinals' even offer instant analysis around hydration. One thing remains the same, though, and that’s the stench of the boot room. No amount of technology can hide the fragrance of hard work and, amusingly, Albert looked right at home, with decades worth of memories flooding back.