Strudwick appointed Head of Academy Performance at Arsenal
Strudwick speaking at TGG's Cohesive Coaching event in 2018
Written by Simon Austin — May 28, 2021
TONY STRUDWICK is leaving Sheffield Wednesday after two years to become Head of Academy Performance at Arsenal.
He effectively replaces Des Ryan, who left the Gunners last month after eight years as Head of Academy Sports Medicine and Athletic Development to become Director of Coaching and Performance at Setanta College.
Strudwick, who will continue in his part-time role as Head of Performance with the Wales national team, is a heavyweight appointment by Academy Manager Per Mertesacker.
As Head of Performance at Manchester United for 11 years he was a key lieutenant of Sir Alex Ferguson. Former United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen told TGG: “Tony was instrumental to the success we achieved during that period and deserves a huge amount of credit. He is a top professional and one of the best in his field in the world.”
Strudwick, who has also worked with the England national team, had been with Wednesday since June 2019 and will now relocate from Sheffield to the London area.
The practitioner was our guest on Episode #13 of the TGG Podcast, when he said: "Connecting and building relationships with an athlete is, for me, still the most important thing. The best coaches in the future will be the ones who combine the science with the art of engaging with the athletes.”
Meanwhile, Southend United goalkeeping coach Terry Mason is to join Arsenal as Head of Academy Goalkeeping.
Mason has been involved with the Shrimpers for the past 15 years and also spent five years working with England’s young goalkeepers in the Under-15s to U18s.
