Award-winning coach hails Jessica Ennis encounter

Minichiello was named coach of the year at the UK Coaching Awards after guiding his charge to a gold medal in the heptathlon in this year’s Olympics.

But the coy Minichiello has refused to take the credit for her overwhelming success.

He said: “The truth is, as a coach you’re only as good as the material you’re given. The day I met Jessica Ennis it was like being dealt four aces in a hand of poker.”