Bulletin Board
Who’s in, who’s out and what’s available
November 15, 2024
Brighton U21s Assistant named Head Coach of Crown Legacy FC
Gary Dicker has left Brighton after three-and-a-half years to become Head Coach of Crown Legacy FC, the reserve side of Charlotte FC in the MLS.
Dicker, 38, played for Brighton from 2009 to 2013 and returned to the club at the start of 2021/22 to become their Under-21s over-aged player. The Pro Licence holder then went on to become U18s Coach and finally U21s Assistant.
“This chance to go to America is a really exciting one for me and my family, but it wouldn’t have come about without the Albion and the coaching education that they’ve given me,” Dicker said.
Academy Manager Ian Buckman added: “Gary has been an excellent addition to the Academy set-up and we’re sad to see him go, but this is a hugely exciting opportunity for him and his family.
“It’s been great to see Gary really grow as a coach, making a significant contribution to our programme, and help a number of young players make the step up to senior football.”
Crown Legacy compete in the MLS Next Pro league. Charlotte FC compete in the MLS and their Head Coach is former Brentford, Aston Villa, Leicester City and Norwich City boss Dean Smith.
November 14, 2024
Paxton promoted to Head of Medical at West Ham
Adam Paxton has been promoted from Head Physio to Head of Medical at West Ham United.
Paxton joined the Hammers in September 2021 from the English National Ballet, where he was Head Physio. Richard Collinge heads up West Ham’s unified medical and performance department as Performance Director, while Dominic Rogan is their Head Physio.
November 13, 2024
Ergeneci joins Chelsea as Performance and Insights Data Scientist
Mert Ergeneci has joined Chelsea as a Performance and Insights Data Scientist in a joint role with Catapult.
Ergeneci, who has a PhD in Deep Learning and Signal Processing from King’s College in London, is the co-founder of Neurocess Limited, a biotechnology company that designs wearable sensors that provide data on injury prevention and training optimisation for footballers.
To date, Neurocess have raised $3.4m in seed funding.
November 13, 2024
Breen appointed First Team Physiotherapist at Liverpool
David Breen has joined Liverpool's revamped medical department as First Team Rehab Physiotherapist.
The Reds have restructured their medical department under new Head of Medicine and Performance Jonathan Power, with the physios now split into Rehab and Performance. The Rehab Physios deliver treatment and rehabilitation strategies for injured players, while also working with fit players in facilitating preparation for – and recovery from – training sessions and games.
The Performance Physios work closely with the fit players in the squad, while “optimising daily treatment interventions and exercise therapies for acute and chronic issues” and also turning around short-term injuries to keep players performing and available.
In the summer, Chris Morgan switched from Senior Physio to Head Performance Physio and Lee Nobes from Head Physio to Head Rehab Physio. Breen has the Rehab section after 16 months with Harlequins Rugby.
He has also been a Physio for Wasps Rugby, Manchester City’s EDS squad, Munster Rugby and for the Republic of Ireland Men’s Team. Before becoming a Physio, Breen enjoyed a successful career in hurling with Limerick, winning an All-Ireland Title.
TGG Members: Liverpool staff profiles
November 7, 2024
Cope promoted to Director of Football at AFC Wimbledon
Craig Cope has been promoted from Head of Football Operations to Director of Football at League Two AFC Wimbledon.
Craig Cope has been promoted from Head of Football Operations to Director of Football at League Two AFC Wimbledon.
Cope joined the club in January 2023 from Solihull Moors, where he was Technical Director. As Head of Football Operations, he was responsible for recruitment, scouting, analysis, technical and medical support and all training ground logistics.
His new beefed-up role will see the Academy also come under his remit, “enabling a new holistic and joined-up approach across our entire football operations.”
Chairman Mick Buckley said: “Michael Hamilton (Academy Manager) and his Academy team continue to deliver the club a phenomenal pipeline of talent, which is integral to our success.
“We want to bring their thinking, learning and processes closer to our other football activities. In Craig’s new role, he will take a holistic overview of all football activities from academy recruitment to senior professionals and staff.
“Craig is motivated by continuous improvement and will be looking at every aspect of football operations to deliver just that.”
November 6, 2024
Lee leaves Ipswich to become Norwich U21s Lead
Olly Lee has left Ipswich Town to join local rivals Norwich City as Under-21s Lead.
The 33-year-old, who played for clubs including Hearts, Birmingham and Luton before retiring in February 2023, was U18s Lead at Ipswich. At Norwich he will split the U21 Lead role with Alan Neilson, has been with the Canaries Academy since 2015.
Norwich placed 19th in our 2023/24 Academy Productivity Rankings, with Ipswich in 26th.
November 1, 2024
Aladejare appointed Academy Talent Identification Scout at Watford
Paul Aladejare, the former Blackburn Rovers Head of Emerging Talent, has been appointed Academy Talent Identification Scout at Watford.
Aladejare worked for Blackburn from January 2023 to June 2024 and has also been Regional Scout Co-ordinator at Arsenal and Head of Academy Recruitment at Barnet.
At Category Two Watford he will work closely with Head of Academy Recruitment Jon Goodman in identifying new players.
October 31, 2024
Head Chef Meziane leaves Manchester United
Omar Meziane has left his role as First Team Head Chef at Manchester United after almost two years.
The former England Head Chef joined United in January 2023 and was based at their Carrington Training Centre. His remit there was to “prepare, produce and deliver a high-quality consistent catering offer”, as well as working on both home and away games.
Meziane was part of Gareth Southgate’s England staff from 2017 to 2022 and travelled with the team to the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020. He has also worked with the England cricket team, with individual Premier League players and has co-authored a cookery book with former England rugby star James Haskell.
United’s support services have undergone significant change since INEOS took control of footballing matters at the club in December 2023. Sam Erith has arrived as Interim Head of Performance, Jordan Reece as Head Physio, while a new coaching staff was installed around Manager Erik ten Hag before his sacking this week.
Meziane had worked closely with United’s consultant nutritionists Tom Whitehead and Mark Ellison, but Whitehead stopped working with the club in August last year. Thomas Maynard arrived from Liverpool’s Academy shortly afterwards to become a full-time Performance Nutritionist.
October 25, 2024
Hough promoted to Academy Manager by Accrington Stanley
Chris Hough has been promoted to Academy Manager at League Two Accrington Stanley.
He replaces Duncan Fearnhead, who left the club after 12 years to become Academy Manager at Southampton last month. Hough joined Accrington straight from University in January 2019 as an age group coach and then Head of Academy Performance Analysis. In August 2020 he was promoted to Head of Academy Operations.
Writing on LinkedIn, Hough said: “It’s a privilege to step into this role after six years of development and growth within the club. I’m honoured to continue building on the incredible work and standards set by Duncan Fearnhead and all of our talented Academy staff both past and present.
“Four years ago, we developed a vision to become the top Category Three Academy in the EFL through providing a genuine pathway into first team football for Academy-developed players, whilst providing best practice player care and player/ parent experience.
“I look forward to evolving and innovating on these foundations, as we have done in recent years, ensuring Accrington Stanley Academy remains a place of opportunity and progress moving forward.”
Category Three Accrington placed 74th in our 2023/24 Academy Productivity Rankings, out of 86 clubs. This was up four places from 74th in 2021/22.
October 23, 2024
Former Millwall Director of Football joins Colorado Rapids
Former Millwall Director of Football Operations and Recruitment Alex Aldridge has been appointed Director of Scouting at MLS club Colorado Rapids.
Aldridge spent almost three years with Millwall, before leaving in August this year. Prior to this he spent two years as Head of Recruitment at Stoke City.
“Alex’s arrival comes at a critical time for our roster-building efforts,” said Colorado Rapids Sporting Director Fran Taylor.
“His expertise in identifying emerging talent and his track record of executing high-impact player acquisitions will immediately enhance our recruitment capabilities.”
October 22, 2024
Fisher promoted to Head of Emerging Talent by Everton
Nathan Fisher has been promoted to Head of Emerging Talent at Everton, replacing Dan Rice, who is now Interim Chairman and Chief Football Officer at Wycombe Wanderers.
Rice held the role for a year before joining Wycombe in May, sparking a recruitment process by Everton. Fisher has been with the club for more than five years, first as Senior Scout for Spain and then European Senior Scout.
His replacement in that role is Colin Rooney, who has joined the club after more than 10 years with Toronto FC, where he was Head of European Scouting.
Meanwhile, Mark Quayle has been promoted to Academy National Recruitment Lead from 13s and 14s Scout in the North.
Everton also advertised for a Pre-Academy Recruitment Lead of TGG recently.
October 21, 2024
Richardson appointed YDP Goalkeeper Lead at Brentford
Arsenal Academy Goalkeeper Coach Jeff Richardson has been appointed Youth Development Phase Goalkeeper Lead at Brentford.
Richardson has worked for the Gunners for the last three years.
October 19, 2024
Former Burnley Head of Performance joins DC United
David Rhodes, the former Burnley Head of Performance, Medicine and Innovation, has been appointed Director of Human Performance at DC United in the MLS.
Rhodes left the Clarets after two years in the summer as part of a wider restructure of the performance and medical department.
At DC United he has replaced fellow Englishman Luke Jenkinson, who joined from Derby County with Head Coach Wayne Rooney in January 2023. Jenkinson has joined new MLS franchise San Diego as Director of Human Performance.
Jenkinson joined San Diego in August, but agreed to stay on to help DC United until the end of Saturday’s game against Charlotte, which they lost 3-0.
October 17, 2024
Data Engineer Clouston leaves Everton to join Football Association
Adam Clouston has left Everton after three years to become a Data Engineer with the Football Association.
A Data Engineer builds the infrastructure that enables the collection, storage, management and analysis of data. Clouston joined Everton from Derby County, where he had worked for two years, in November 2021.
Writing on LinkedIn, Clouston said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at Everton, worked with some fantastic people across the whole club and helped build some integral processes and applications for footballing departments.
“I’m really proud to have been part of the Performance Insights team and of what we have built as a new team within the football side of the club.
“Big thanks to everyone for a lovely send off yesterday and special thanks to the lads in the recruitment department, Adam Newall and of course the PI lads Charlie Reeves, Nicholas Coleman, Peter Morris for the laughs and support over my three years at the club.”
Charlie Reeves is the Head of Performance Insights at Everton.
October 13, 2024
Forest YDP Lead named Academy Director at Dundee United
Nottingham Forest Youth Development Phase Lead Scott Allison has joined Dundee United as their new Academy Director.
The 44-year-old has worked with Forest for the last 15 months, having previously held roles including Academy Director and Caretaker Manager at Partick Thistle and Director of Coaching at the Florida Elite Soccer Academy.
He said: “It’s exciting to have joined a club with such a rich tradition in player development. My first few days have been excellent, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the staff and having a look around the facilities at my disposal.
“The fundamental aim of any Academy is to develop players who will represent our first team – it’s my job to look at the structures in place throughout the youth setup, identify areas for improvement and implement changes to ensure that happens as regularly as possible.
Chief Executive Luigi Capuano added: “We’re delighted to welcome Scott to the club – he has attained extensive coaching experience across the United Kingdom and the United States throughout his two decades in the industry thus far and we felt this would hugely benefit our young players.
“Looking ahead, it’s a pivotal time for the progression of the Academy, and we’re excited to see how Scott’s working practices can re-energise and refresh the setup from top to bottom.
“During the recruitment process, we outlined the requirement for the chosen candidate to understand that our main objective is ultimately to develop players who represent our first team – Scott wholeheartedly buys into that philosophy.”
September 23, 2024
Whelan appointed First Team Coach at Wigan
Former Republic of Ireland player and coach Glenn Whelan has been appointed as First Team Coach at Wigan Athletic.
The 40-year-old made more than 200 Premier League appearances for Stoke City and Aston Villa, as well as playing 91 times for his national side.
The UEFA A Licence coach has since worked with the Republic of Ireland since May 2022, as part of their U16s staff and also with Interim Manager John O’Shea for the men’s senior team.
Last month he was appointed First Team Coach at fellow League One side Bristol Rovers and now joins Max Rogers, Andy Lonergan and Shadab Iftikhar on Wigan Manager Shaun Maloney’s coaching team.
“I would like to thank Shaun Maloney for providing me with the opportunity to continue my coaching career with the club,” Whelan said.
“His coaching philosophies align with my own, and I am hoping I can use my experiences – both as a player and a coach – to help the players as much as I can.”
Maloney added: “Glenn will be a brilliant addition to our backroom team, and I am delighted to have him on board. He has had some excellent experiences as both a player and a coach, including coaching the Republic of Ireland national team.
“I am really looking forward to working with Glenn, and I’m positive his arrival will be beneficial for the players and the Club’s long-term plans.”