Webb is currently with the Georgian national team, having previously held various scouting and coaching positions in England for two decades.
After beginning at AFC Wimbledon, Webb transitioned to Crystal Palace in 2002 as an academy coach and scouting coordinator, gaining extensive knowledge of the youth football landscape in London, which ultimately led him to discover Wilfried Zaha.
At that time, the 10-year-old was playing for Whitehorse Wanderers in west Croydon and was noticed thanks to a tip from Webb's younger cousin.
"I was at Crystal Palace back then. My younger cousin, who was on the same team, brought him to my attention," recalled Webb.
"I didn't have a match on Sunday, so I went to observe this particular team, and indeed, Wilfried stood out because he was incredibly quick, dynamic, raw, yet also very skilled.
"Even at the age of 10 or 11, you could see he had potential, so I thought it was worth asking him to come in for a six-week trial at Crystal Palace.
"What particularly made him stand out was his strong character, especially from a young age. He always had the talent that, with the right environment, most young players can certainly thrive."
Club legends
As the saying goes, the rest is history.
Zaha progressed through the ranks at Crystal Palace, making 458 appearances over two stints—either side of a disappointing transfer to Manchester United.
The Ivorian established himself as a legend in south London and arguably ranks among the Eagles' greatest players, now playing in MLS with Charlotte FC in the later stages of his career.
Webb's influence extended beyond Zaha's career. During his time at Bournemouth and Tottenham, the coach also contributed to the signings of Callum Wilson and Heung-min Son —both of whom would achieve legendary status at their respective clubs.
Such development is no small achievement, and the former scout takes great pride in it.
"During my time at Bournemouth, we were bringing in players like Callum Wilson, who went on to have a very successful career," Webb stated.
"I was involved in the recruitment of Son at Tottenham. He would go on to attain legendary status there, so it's very gratifying to have played a role, especially in helping him join the club through the recruitment process.
"Seeing him achieve great things is always rewarding in this job."
Integrating coaching with sports psychology
Navigating the realms of scouting and coaching can be challenging, but Webb has an advantage over his peers.
With over two decades of experience at various levels of the game, from Wimbledon to Southampton and Ostersund to Tottenham, the coach also holds a master's degree in sports psychology.
Being able to understand how players feel and the underlying science gives him an edge in both scouting and coaching.
"This has been an interest of mine since I was very young; it's a significant aspect of the game, managing players and staff, and understanding their states.
"It certainly provides me an edge at times, knowing some of the science behind it, especially as football has evolved with generational mixes of players who require different management styles in various situations. It definitely aids in that regard.
"It helps me in terms of my coaching and management approach, allowing me to understand that every player is unique, every individual is human, every team is different, and I must approach each situation with an open mind. Having that foundational knowledge can assist in understanding a club or country from their perspective rather than just my own."
Read the first part of Flashscore's interview with Webb now.
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