Academy reshuffle at Southampton after Rusk joins seniors

Following Rusk’s switch, Calum McFarlane has been promoted from U18s Head Coach to U21s boss. He will work alongside former Premier League winger Matthew Etherington, who continues as U21s Assistant. 

Etherington joined Southampton in September 2024, replacing previous U21s Assistant Chris Allen, who had only been in post for six months. Adam Asghar, who was U21s Head Coach, had also left last summer, after 11 months, to become U18s Head Coach at Celtic.

Following McFarlane’s promotion, Head of Coaching Ricky King and U18s Assistant Andrew Surman will lead Southampton’s U18s. The team have reached the last eight of the FA Youth Cup and travel to Watford this evening for their quarter-final.

Academy Director Andy Goldie added: “Calum has made a really positive impact since joining us at the beginning of last season, bringing clarity in delivering our game model and creating an environment where the players have thrived on the pitch.

“This season’s league and FA Youth Cup form have been testament to the work he has led with the U18s staff over the past 18 months and we are delighted to reward him with his next step as a promising young coach.”

There has been a big turnover of staff at Southampton’s Category One Academy in recent seasons. Sport Republic bought an 80% stake in the club in January 2022 and a wholesale change of the Academy staff followed.

The club’s Academy Director is Andy Goldie, who arrived from Swansea City in the summer of 2023, and the Academy Manager is Duncan Fearnhead, who joined from Accrington Stanley in September 2024. 

Southampton placed ninth in our Academy Productivity Rankings for 2023/24.