Keith Bertschin was one of my favourite players when I first
started supporting the Canaries. I remember his two goals in the
5-1 thrashing of Birmingham City on 8th September 1982. He joined
Norwich City in August 1981 from Birmingham City having earlier
begun his career at then non-league Barnet and Ipswich Town. In
138 appearances (including two as substitute), he netted 38 goals
for the Canaries. A regular in the City forward line, he formed
a powerful partnership with John Deehan.
Joining Stoke City in 1984, he added another 88 appearances and
29 goals to his career record before moving North to Sunderland
in March 1987. 36 appearances for the Wearside team generated
only seven goals and a move to Walsall came just sixteen months
later. He left the Saddlers for Chester City and then moved on
to Aldershot Town in 1991. Aldershot's bankruptcy led to the termination
of his contract and his professional career.
Since then, he has spent time in non-league football with Solihull
Borough and Evesham Town. In 1994, he joined League of Wales side
Barry Town and hit the winning goal in the Welsh Cup semi-final
against Bangor. In 1995, he moved to Worcester City and then on
to Hednesford Town and Tamworth. 1996 saw him join his sixth amateur
side Stafford Rangers. He announced his retirement in February
1998 to devote more time to his business interests. He signed
off in fashion scoring the winner against Wisbech Town.
Keith then became a licensed player's agent for First Touch Soccer
Sports Agents. He returned to competitive football during the
2001/02 season, joining Steve Bruce, Mark
Bowen and John Benson at Birmingham
where he coaches their Reserve team
When Bruce left Birmingham to take charge at Wigan Athletic,
Bertschin followed and is their Reserve Team Manager. He again
followed Bruce when he took charge at Sunderland in June 2009.
Bertschin followed Bruce to Hull City on 29th June 2012 becoming
their first team coach.
Bertschin and Bruce led Hull to the Premiership in 2012/13, to the FA Cup final in 2014, Europa League campaign in 2014/15, relegation in 2014/15 and promotion via the play-offs to the Premier League on 28th May 2016.
After Bruce walked away from Hull, Bertschin was told his services were no longer required. Unfortunately this occured when he arrived with his luggage ahead of the club’s pre-season trip to Austria on 2nd August 2016.
On 9th November 2016, Bertschin was appointed head coach at Conference side Solihull Moors following manager Marcus Bignot's departure to take over League Two club Grimsby Town. Liam McDonald was appointed as manager a few days later. Bertschin supported Gary Whild as he temporarily took the managerial reins following the departures of McDonald and then Richard Money in October 2017. He then worked more prominently in the Club’s Academy since the back-end of 2017. On 2nd July 2018, he was appoitned first team coach for Solihull's ladeis team as well as Development Coach for the Youth and Junior department across the whole Club, covering both boys and girls teams.