Academy Manager Reid leaves Sunderland after two years
Written by Simon Austin — June 30, 2020
PAUL REID has left his position as Academy Manager of Sunderland with immediate effect.
The 38-year-old joined the club in June 2018 from non-league Eastleigh, where he was Head of Player Recruitment and Strategy.
The owner of the Hampshire club at that time was Stewart Donald, the current Sunderland chairman, who is now looking to sell the Black Cats.
Sunderland have been Category One since the EPPP system was introduced in 2012. They failed their initial audit to retain that status in 2018, shortly after Reid arrived, but then passed in February 2020.
The club's Under-23s have lost 17 and drawn one of their 18 games in Premier League 2 Division 2 this season, while the U18s have lost all their 16 matches.
It's an unprecedented record, although there has been some mitigation, with several eligible players featuring for the first team instead.
“The club would like to place on record it’s thanks to Paul for his service throughout what has been a challenging two years for the club’s Academy, including helping to ensure its Category One status was retained,” Sunderland said in a statement.
“All at SAFC would like to wish Paul the very best for the future.”
Reid, who signed for Glasgow Rangers for £600,000 as a teenaged defender, last year qualified as a Sporting Director, gaining a distinction.
