McGuane promoted to Academy Manager at Nottingham Forest
Chris McGuane (left): Promoted to Academy Manager; Craig Mulholland (right): Arrives as Head of Football Development and Talent Management.
Written by Training Ground Guru — August 3, 2023
CHRIS McGUANE has been promoted to Academy Manager at Nottingham Forest, with Craig Mulholland arriving from Scotland to become Head of Football Development and Talent Management.
McGuane has been Assistant Academy Manager at Forest since June 2018 and was previously Head of Academy at Watford. He replaces Gary Brazil, who he assisted during his time at the City Ground.
Brazil left the club at the end of last season and has now been appointed Head of Men’s Player Recruitment and Retention at the Football Association.
Mulholland worked for Rangers for more than 20 years before leaving his role as Academy Director in June. His move to Forest sees him reunited with Chief Football Officer Ross Wilson, who was Sporting Director at Ibrox for four years until his move south this summer.
Mulholland's new role is Head of Football Development and Talent Management, which will strategically cover the Academy, B Team, Women's First Team, Girls Academy, Player Pathways and Emerging Talent.
Mulholland first joined Rangers in May 2003 as Football in the Community Manager and went on to head their Academy for nine years.
Brazil, who joined Forest as Academy Manager in February 2013 and was appointed Director of Football Development in October 2020, has now replaced Steve Morrow, who exited the FA last month after two years.
Brazil had worked for the club since February 2013 and his new role included responsibility for the Academy, loans, domestic recruitment and the club’s “football philosophy.” On his watch the Academy had been promoted to Category One status in May 2021.
Brazil did not have his contract renewed by the club at the end of last season, but he has now joined the FA as Head of Men’s Player Recruitment and Retention.
The goal of the role is to identify more and better players from a younger age and also to find dual nationals at home and abroad and convince them to play for England.
He replaces Morrow, who was appointed Head of Player Selection and Talent Strategy by the FA in May 2021. Posting on LinkedIn last month, the former Arsenal Head of Youth Scouting wrote: “Hey - just wanted to share that I have recently left my position as Head of Player Selection and Talent Strategy and The FA.
“Taking some time out - but having some intriguing conversations and very excited for the next challenge!”
