As a schoolboy Thelwell progressed through the academy at Crewe Alexandra before moving to Shrewsbury Town where he gained an apprenticeship and progressed into the professional ranks. He failed to make a senior appearance for the club though and instead led semi pro career with clubs such as Northwich Victoria, Winsford United and Congleton Town.
Coaching career
Thelwell began his coaching career with the Football Association of Wales Trust following his appointment as the Football Development Officer for Denbighshire, North Wales in 1998. In the same year he became one of the youngest coaches to successfully complete the FA/UEFA Advanced Licence at 25 years of age. Thelwell also holds the FAW/UEFA Advanced Licence and UEFA Pro Licence. Thelwell has also successfully completed a Bsc degree in Sport Science and is currently completing the LMA/PFA Certificate in Applied Management at Warwick University. In 2002, he was appointed as Director of Coach Education with the responsibility of coordinating and developing coach education at all levels in Wales. This included the organisation and delivery of the prestigious FAW/UEFA Advanced Licence and Pro Licence courses accessed by coaches and managers working within the professional game. In the summer of 2005, Thelwell was appointed by Billy Davies as Director of Youth at Preston North End and in his first season saw his youth team win the Football League Youth AllianceNational Cup. At the beginning of the 2006–07 season, Davies left Preston to become manager of Derby County and made Thelwell his first appointment as Academy Manager, becoming the youngest academy manager in the country, aged 32. He combined this academy role with that of acting first team coach, helping the club win promotion to the Premier League in his first season via the play-offs. After an unsuccessful start to their top flight campaign, Billy Davies left the club by mutual consent in November 2007 and Thelwell was appointed as caretaker manager in the interim period before the appointment of Paul Jewell as their new manager. In April 2008 he left Derby County and was appointed academy manager at Wolverhampton Wanderers, replacing Chris Evans. Thelwell is also the author of several coaching books including "Coaching the European 3-5-2". On 3 February 2020, Thelwell made the move to the United States to become the Head of Sport at MLS side New York Red Bulls. At New York Thelwell will have oversight on all aspects of the sporting side of the club with Sporting Director Denis Hamlett reporting to Thelwell.
