Roberts leaves Morocco after two years to become Palace assistant
Roberts was Technical Director of the Welsh FA for 12 years
Written by Training Ground Guru — July 31, 2021
OSIAN ROBERTS has stepped down as Technical Director of the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) after two years to become assistant to Patrick Vieira at Crystal Palace.
The 56-year-old joined the Federation in September 2019 after more than 12 years in the same role with the Welsh FA.
He tweeted: “I can confirm that I have resigned from the FRMF. I have had a fantastic two years working in a truly beautiful country with some remarkable and passionate people and I am sure Morocco will continue to grow and progress in the football world over the next few years.”
Vieira did his Uefa A Licence and Pro Licence with the Welsh FA, which is how he got to know Roberts.
As TGG reported last week, Palace are focused on developing young players in the next stage of their evolution, which has been reflected in both their recruitment of players and staff this summer. Vieira has a background in youth development, having managed Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad.
His new Development Coach, Said Aigoun, was an Academy coach at Auxerre and PSG, while new first-team coach Kristian Wilson was a skills coach at Sheffield United and Head of Technical Performance at Manchester City.
OSIAN ROBERTS PROFILE
Roberts also has an impressive pedigree in youth development. He was a Football Development Officer in Anglesey before being appointed Technical Director of the Football Association of Wales in 2007.
He managed Wales Under-16s for their famous 4-0 win over England in the final of the Victory Shield in 2010 and Dave Adams, who succeeded him as Technical Director in 2019, told TGG that Roberts had "transformed Welsh football" during his tenure.
“Osian has been an incredible coach educator and strategic leader," Adams said. “He has been personally involved with a lot of the younger players who are coming through into the senior Wales side - Connor Roberts, Harry Wilson, Tom Lawrence, Ethan Ampadu, Chris Mepham.
“He put the player development system in place in Wales, with a regional structure, more professional infrastructure and better coaches around it."
In addition, he has more than 400 games under his belt as either Head or Assistant Coach at international level. At senior national team level he was assistant to Gary Speed, Chris Coleman and Ryan Giggs for Wales.
During that decade the country went from 117 in the world to top 20, which they sustained for seven years, as well as reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
In addition maybe good for people to know I have presented on top level football in all Confederations and multiple Federations over the last 20 yrs and have been an UEFA Technical Instructor for 10 years
