Bulletin Board
Who’s in, who’s out and what’s available
July 22, 2026
Southern returns to Fleetwood as U21 Lead
Fleetwood Town have appointed Keith Southern as their new Under-21 Lead, bringing him back to Highbury after his exit as Everton's U18s Head Coach.
Southern’s exit came as part of a wider shake-up of Everton’s youth set-up and ended a nine-and-a-half-year spell at the club.
His move to Fleetwood reunites him with a club where he made 39 appearances during his playing career.
The former midfielder made more than 370 Football League and Premier League appearances, the majority at Blackpool, where he was Man of the Match in the 2010 Championship Play-Off Final as the Seasiders won promotion to the Premier League.
Speaking after his appointment, Southern said: “I’m really excited and delighted to be here. I’ve already had the chance to meet everybody this morning and it’s been a brilliant welcome. I’m looking forward to getting started, working with the players and staff, and helping the young lads develop as both footballers and people.”
Academy Manager Danny Morville said the club were “delighted” to bring Southern back.
“He brings a wealth of experience as both a player and a coach,” Morville said. “His knowledge will be invaluable to our young players as they continue to develop. Keith’s commitment to youth development, combined with his understanding of the game, make him an outstanding addition to our Academy and we are confident that he will be integral to the development of players across the Professional Development Phase.”
July 20, 2026
Maidana appointed Head of Performance at Watford
Nicolás Maidana has been appointed as the new Head of Performance at Watford.
The Uruguayan arrives following the appointment of Alessio Dionisi as Head Coach in June, although the duo have never previously worked together before.
The link is actually Udinese which, like Watford, is owned by the Pozzo family. Maidana worked for the Italian club in 2021/22.
Maidana is hugely experienced and has worked at clubs around the world: Selangor FC in Malaysia (2026), Panathinaikos in Greece (2024), Granada CF in Spain (2023/24) and Flamengo in Brazil (2023), alongside his spell at Udinese.
Before that globe-trotting run, he spent a lengthy period as a Fitness Coach at Club Nacional in his native Uruguay (2018-2021).
It was during his time at Nacional that Maidana wrote an in-depth piece for TGG on his work and philosophy.
On his approach to gym work, he said younger players reaching the first team were often trained “just like a player who is close to retirement,” calling this “a big mistake” — arguing that young athletes need both “training to compete” and “training to win,” rather than one at the expense of the other.
He was also a believer in balancing “hard and soft skills,” saying: “We have to understand that we work with people, not robots.”
On GPS and load monitoring, Maidana struck a note of caution: “Maybe we are putting limits on our players because of our desire to measure and quantify everything.”
July 16, 2026
Lorenzo leaves Bournemouth after three years
South America Scout Fran Lorenzo has left Bournemouth after three years.
The Uruguayan joined the Cherries in March 2023 from Peñarol and played a role in the signing of forward Rayan, who arrived from Vasco da Gama in January 2026 and went on to become a starter for the Brazil national team.
Writing on LinkedIn, Lorenzo said: “Grateful for an incredible three years at AFC Bournemouth. Thankful for the experience, the people I met, and everything I learned while contributing to the club’s recruitment process across South America.
“Looking forward to the next chapter.”
Lorenzo presented on ‘Scouting South America’ at TGG’s 2025 Scouting & Recruitment Webinar. The Webinar is available to purchase HERE – or it’s available for free for TGG Members. Find out more about joining HERE.
July 12, 2026
Sage brings three staff to Palace
Pierre Sage has confirmed his backroom staff at Crystal Palace, with three coaches arriving and two members of Oliver Glasner's regime staying on.
Sage, 47, has signed a three-year contract at Selhurst Park to 2029. He arrives after an impressive first season at RC Lens, where he won the Coupe de France and was named Ligue 1 Manager of the Year. He replaces Glasner, who recently left for Nottingham Forest.
Joining Sage are:
- Jamal Alioui (Assistant): Held the same role under Sage at Lyon and followed him to Lens. A former Morocco international right-back who captained his country at the 2004 Olympics, he has also coached Morocco’s U20s and several French clubs, including Nancy and FC Versailles.
- Damien Della Santa (Player Development & Set Piece Coach): Worked as Assistant under Sage at Lyon as well as at OGC Nice. Became a coach at 14 and maintains an ongoing role with the French Football Federation as a coach educator and researcher.
- Sandy Guichard (Fitness Coach): Joins after seven years in the same role at Monaco, with previous spells at Sion, Sochaux, Bordeaux, Dijon, Besançon and Trabzonspor, and past experience with the Algerian national team.
Paddy McCarthy (Assistant) and Andy Quy (Goalkeeper Coach) are the two survivors from Glasner’s staff.
McCarthy was a Palace player for eight seasons before moving into coaching and has been at the club for 18 years. He was part of the staff that delivered the Eagles’ first-ever trophy treble — the 2024/25 FA Cup, the 2025 FA Community Shield and the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League. He also assists the Republic of Ireland national team.
Quy, a former Premier League goalkeeper, joined Palace in September 2025 after 12 years as Stoke City’s Goalkeeping Coach and helped the club win its first European trophy in Leipzig in May.
The rest of Glasner’s staff followed him to Forest — Emanuel Pogatetz (Assistant), Michael Angerschmid (Assistant), Michael Berktold (Assistant), James Holland (Transition Coach) and Michael Gspurning (Goalkeeping Coach) are all confirmed at the City Ground.
Ronald Brunmayr, another of Glasner’s long-serving assistants at Palace, has not been confirmed as part of that group, and his status remains unclear.
July 11, 2026
Glasner takes five staff to Nottingham Forest
Oliver Glasner has taken five members of staff with him to Nottingham Forest following his appointment as Head Coach on July 6th.
Glasner has signed a three-year contract at the City Ground and joining him are:
- Michael Angerschmid (Assistant): One of Glasner’s closest colleagues for more than a decade, having played alongside him at SV Ried before working as his Assistant at LASK, Wolfsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt and Crystal Palace.
- Michael Berktold (Performance Coach/Assistant): Has worked with Glasner at LASK and Wolfsburg, and now Palace, taking charge of physical preparation and performance. Spent 2021-2023 as athletic trainer at Red Bull Salzburg – a spell separate from Glasner, who was at Frankfurt at the time – before rejoining him at Palace in 2024. A sports science graduate with a UEFA A coaching licence.
- Emanuel Pogatetz (Assistant): Move is yet to be finalised, pending issuing of a visa. Spent more than two years working alongside Glasner at Palace after coaching at LASK, St. Pölten and Austria Vienna (where he led the B Team). Capped 61 times by Austria and made 158 appearances for Middlesbrough during a playing career that also took in Bayer Leverkusen, Spartak Moscow, Hannover 96, Wolfsburg, West Ham and more.
- James Holland (Transition Coach): Former Australia international midfielder who specialised in player development, tactical preparation and individual performance under Glasner at Palace.
- Michael Gspurning (Goalkeeper Coach): Former Austria international keeper who played for Schalke 04, Union Berlin, PAOK Thessaloniki, Seattle Sounders, Xanthi and Platanias. Moved into coaching at Union Berlin and later with the Austria national team. No record of him having worked under Glasner before.
Glasner said: “I’m delighted that these outstanding coaches have joined me at Nottingham Forest. We’ve shared many successful moments together and, just as importantly, we share the same values, work ethic and determination to build a culture where every player is challenged to reach their highest level.
“I’m confident they’ll make a hugely positive impact on this football club.”
However, Ronald Brunmayr, one of Glasner’s most trusted lieutenants, has not been confirmed as part of the group moving to the City Ground – a notable absence given his history with the Head Coach.
The pair played together at SV Ried and Grazer AK, before Brunmayr became Glasner’s Assistant at Eintracht Frankfurt in 2021/22, when they won the UEFA Europa League together. He left Frankfurt alongside Glasner in 2023, then followed him to Crystal Palace in February 2024.
The appointments follow Vítor Pereira’s departure as Head Coach, with Forest exercising a mutual break clause in his contract.
His staff – Filipe Almeida (Assistant Coach), Luis Miguel (Assistant Coach), Bruno Moura (Head of Physical Performance and Opposition Analysis), Marco Knoop (Goalkeeper Coach) and Pedro Lopes (Opposition Analyst) – also left the club.
July 8, 2026
Ex-Southampton First Team Coach Martin to lead Brighton’s U18s
Carl Martin has been appointed as Head Coach of Brighton's Under-18 team.
Martin spent just over seven years at Southampton after joining them in January 2019 and was involved in some innovations introduced by the club.
He worked firstly as a Game Coach with the Under-18s. His role was to prepare and manage the team for matches while a separate Individual Coach would focus on players’ development. Under Martin’s leadership, the Saints won the Premier League South title in 2022.
That summer he was promoted to the first team set-up under Ralph Hasenhuttl as an in-possession specialist. The club’s Director of Football at the time, Matt Crocker, had introduced specialist coaching at both Academy and senior level, although the roles were scrapped when Sport Republic took over the club.
Martin went on to stay as First Team Coach under the Saints’ next five bosses – Nathan Jones, Ruben Selles, Russell Martin, Ivan Juric and Will Still. He left the club when Still was sacked in November.
Before joining Southampton he spent four-and-a-half years at Watford – most of which was as Professional Development Coach – and he also played for Wealdstone, Crewe and Macclesfield.
On joining Brighton, Martin said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity at a club who have an outstanding reputation for developing young players. I am thankful to the club for the trust they’re putting in me.”
Martin’s twin brother Callum is Professional Development Phase Assistant Coach for the Under-18s at Southampton, having joined the club last summer.
July 8, 2026
Scotland Set Piece Coach Hughes joining Athletic Bilbao
Scotland Set Piece Coach Andrew Hughes is joining Athletic Bilbao in the same role.
Hughes, who worked with the Scotland team at the World Cup finals, moves to the La Liga club a week after leaving Leicester City, where he had been Set Piece Coach for the past two seasons.
He has also been Set Piece Coach at Crystal Palace, Huddersfield and Norwich, while he has worked as First Team Coach at Bolton and Sheffield Wednesday and as Lead Under-23 coach at Sheffield United.
Hughes played more than 500 games as a midfielder in a 19-year career, making more than 100 appearances for each of Notts County, Reading and Leeds.
He was appointed as Bilbao’s Set Piece Coach by new Head Coach Edin Terzic, who took over this summer.
July 1, 2026
Spurs appoint Grocott as key figure in recruitment team
Tottenham Hotspur have named Stockport County's Head of Academy Recruitment Ryan Grocott as the North West Lead in their recruitment department.
Grocott had been at Stockport since January 2023 after eight-and-a-half years at Stoke City, where he was Youth Development Phase Coach and then Senior Academy Scout.
After avoiding relegation from the Premier League in May, Spurs Chairman Peter Charrington wrote an open letter to fans in which he said the club would commit to a variety of pledges, including increasing investment in their Academy “to ensure that the pathway from youth football to the first team is one of the strongest in the country”.
Players to successfully come through Spurs’ Academy to the first team include England captain Harry Kane and more recently Mikey Moore and Will Lankshear.
July 1, 2026
Behrami one of three staff leaving Watford
Valon Behrami, Watford's Assistant to the Sporting Director, and First Team Coaches Charlie Daniels and Alberto Garrido have all left the club.
Behrami returned to Vicarage Road last summer, having played for them between 2015 and 2017. He provided support to Gian Luca Nani and said: “Being back at Watford was a great experience. I worked with some amazing, talented and extremely hard-working people at a very special football club that will always have a place in my heart.
“I was very fortunate to have a career that took me to all corners of Europe and spent a lot of time away from home. I have a wife and two children and I owe them my time now – and I know a family club like Watford will understand this difficult decision.”
Daniels was at Watford for five years – first in the Academy where he was Lead Coach of both the Under-18s and Under-21s and then as First Team Coach. He took charge of two Championship games last season after Javi Gracia left the club.
Garrido spent the past two seasons at the club, having previously been Assistant Head Coach at Real Madrid Castilla.
Meanwhile, First Team Coach Dan Gosling is staying on with the Hornets as part of new Head Coach Alessio Dionisi’s backroom team.
July 1, 2026
Leicester ring the changes in Martin’s backroom staff
Leicester City have shuffled their backroom staff ahead of their first season in the third tier since 2009, with two incomings and two departures.
Former Barnsley Head Coach Conor Hourihane has been appointed as Russell Martin’s Assistant Manager, while Rhys Owen, who worked with Martin at Norwich, Swansea, Southampton and Rangers, arrives as First Team Fitness Coach.
On X, Hourihane said he was “delighted to be given the opportunity” and was “excited for the season ahead”.
Martin’s Assistant at Swansea, Southampton and Rangers was Matt Gill, but he is now part of the coaching team at West Brom.
First Team Coach Adam Sadler, who returned to Leicester on a short-term contract last season after an earlier nine-year spell at the club, and Set-Piece Coach Andy Hughes are both leaving the club.
The Foxes, who won the Premier League 10 years ago, have suffered back-to-back relegations and kick off their League One campaign at Notts County on 15 August.
TGG Members: Leicester City staff profiles
June 29, 2026
U21s boss Murty leaves Sunderland
Graeme Murty has left his role as Sunderland's Under-21s boss as the club undertake an Academy revamp ahead of the new season.
Murty was Head of Sunderland’s Professional Development Phase (17s to 21s) and joined the Black Cats from Rangers in October 2022. He spent close to three years overseeing the U21s.
Head of Coaching Stuart English said: “I’d like to personally thank Graeme for his service to Sunderland AFC and wish him all the best for the future.”
Murty added: “It has been an absolute privilege to work with so many talented players, coaches and dedicated support staff during my time in the Academy. I’m so proud of everything we have collectively achieved over the last four years, and as importantly, the superb progress we have made as an Academy team.
“Watching Tommy Watson clinch the Club’s return to the Premier League was a moment every Academy staff member will cherish. I wish the Club continued and sustained success in the future, building on an amazing return to the Premier League.”
Murty, 51, is a former Scotland international who took Academy roles at Southampton and Norwich before joining Rangers in 2016 to become Lead Development Squad Coach.
He was also twice placed in caretaker charge of the first team at Ibrox before becoming full-time manager for six months December 2017.
Murty’s exit comes shortly after John Hewitson was promoted to Head of Academy after seven years with Sunderland, succeeding Robin Nicholls, who left at the end of the season to become Academy Director at New York City FC.
Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi has underlined the Academy’s importance to the club, describing it as “a fundamental part of Sunderland AFC’s identity and our future” and framing Hewitson’s promotion as an expression of the club’s identity.
June 24, 2026
Speakman named Director of Football at FC Copenhagen
Former Sunderland Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman has been appointed as the new Director of Football at FC Copenhagen.
The 47-year-old, who left Sunderland in February, will take up the post on July 1st and have overall responsibility for the entire football operation. He succeeds Sune Smith-Nielsen, who was sacked in February, and inherits a club in transition.
Copenhagen finished seventh in the 12-team Superliga last season — one of their worst seasons in recent memory – entering the relegation phase for the first time, before recovering to claim a Conference League place by beating Brøndby on the final day.
At Sunderland, Speakman oversaw the data-integrated recruitment structure that carried the club from League One to the Premier League in little over four seasons. He had previously spent more than a decade at Birmingham City, joining as an Academy coach in 2006 and rising to Head of Academy in 2017.
Speakman has set out plans for “an even more data-driven approach” at Copenhagen, saying it must “strengthen our decision-making basis, make it possible to track development more closely and identify opportunities before they arise.”
He has framed the job as a structural rebuild rather than a quick fix, talking about aligning “our processes and ambitions, our identity and strategy” so the club can return to the top of Danish football.
Chairman Henrik Møgelmose said: “We have run a very thorough recruitment process, and Kristjaan made a strong impression throughout. He is exactly the profile we were looking for.”
CEO Jacob Lauesen added that Speakman’s strategic insight had “already proved defining for the plan we are about to roll out,” describing him as “a man who knows what he wants and how to do it.”
June 23, 2026
Butler promoted to U21s Head Coach by Blackburn
Blackburn Rovers have promoted Paul Butler to Under-21s Head Coach amid a summer of backroom changes.
The appointment fills the vacancy left by Gregory Vignal, who departed at the end of last season.
Butler, the former Leeds United and Derby County Assistant, steps up after overseeing the U18s’ run to the FA Youth Cup semi-finals lasts season. He arrived at the Category One club as U21s Assistant in November 2023.
June 17, 2026
Rowett and Davidson leave Leicester after Martin appointment
Gary Rowett and Callum Davidson are leaving Leicester City following the appointment of Russell Martin as the club's new Head Coach.
Rowett was put in charge for the rest of the season in February, with Davidson as his assistant, but they were unable to prevent the club’s second successive relegation as they dropped into League One.
He has previously managed Burton, Birmingham (two spells), Derby, Stoke, Millwall and Oxford. Davidson, who won 19 caps for Scotland, has been in charge of St Johnstone and Queen’s Park.
Leicester’s Chief Football Officer Jon Rudkin said: “They stepped forward at an important and challenging time for us and worked extremely hard to support the players, staff and wider football club with integrity and dedication.”
Martin has not yet named his backroom staff.
TGG Members: Leicester City staff profiles
June 17, 2026
Morville confirmed as new Fleetwood Academy Manager
Fleetwood Town have appointed Danny Morville as their new Academy Manager.
Morville, who had been in the role on an interim basis, replaces Jack Higgins, who left the League Two club after nearly six years to become the new Academy Director at Stoke City in April. Higgins had joined Fleetwood from Burnley, where he was Head of Education for three years.
Morville also made the move from Burnley to Fleetwood, where he is now in his sixth year. He arrived as Academy Secretary before moving on to become Head of Academy Operations and then Interim Academy Manager.
Speaking about the club’s latest internal appointment, owner Jamie Pilley said: “Danny was the outstanding candidate throughout the recruitment process. He has already played a significant role in the success and growth of our Academy and has consistently demonstrated the leadership, professionalism and commitment that we believe are essential to driving the next phase of its development.
“As one of only two League Two clubs to hold Category Two Academy status (Colchester being the other), we have made a major commitment to youth development over many years, supported by significant investment from our family ownership.”
Morville follows other Academy staff in moving into senior positions at the club, including Matt Lawlor, Nathan Pond and Mark Yeates, who are now in first-team roles.
“Our aim will always be to produce Fleetwood Town players,” he said. “We want to develop Premier League players, we want to develop Football League players and we want to develop successful people.”
Fleetwood, who have a Category Two Academy, came 58th in the 2024/25 TGG Academy Productivity Rankings.
June 12, 2026
Trio leave Liverpool after Slot sacking
Liverpool have confirmed the departures of Assistants Sipke Hulshoff and Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Lead Physical Performance Coach Ruben Peeters following the sacking of Head Coach Arne Slot last month.
Hulshoff and Peeters both arrived at Anfield as part of Slot’s staff in the summer of 2024, while Van Bronckhorst, the former Feyenoord and Rangers manager, joined a year later.
Peeters confirmed his exit on Linked.
“After two unforgettable seasons at Liverpool FC, it is time to say goodbye,” the 34-year-old wrote.
“Winning the Premier League together will always be a special memory and the ultimate highlight of this incredible journey. But, above all, I’m grateful for two years of going to work every day with so much enthusiasm, surrounded by amazing colleagues and great people.”
Individual Development Lead Luiz Fernando Iubel, who joined from Atlético Mineiro in August 2025, Head of Goalkeeping Xavi Valero, who returned to Anfield last summer 15 years after working there under Rafael Benítez, and Goalkeeper Development and Pathway Lead Colin Stewart are all staying.
Andoni Iraola has been appointed as Slot’s successor on a two-year deal.
June 10, 2026
Carter appointed to new Birmingham City Academy role
Darren Carter, who scored the penalty that sent Birmingham City into the Premier League in 2002, has been appointed the club's Academy Transition, Loan and Player Development Manager.
Carter, who came through the Blues Academy himself before going on to make his name in the first team, will lead the club’s loan and transition strategy, overseeing player development.
He will be responsible for identifying and securing loan moves, monitoring how players are progressing and ensuring each individual gets the support needed to fulfil their potential.
The role also covers players leaving the Academy programme, with Carter helping them find opportunities within football, education or wider career pathways.
A boyhood Blues fan, Carter made his name as an 18-year-old when he scored the winning penalty in the 2002 play-off final shootout that sent Birmingham into the Premier League. The central midfielder went on to play for West Brom, Preston, Cheltenham, Northampton, Forest Green and Solihull Moors, before moving into coaching – running Solihull’s Academy and later managing Birmingham City Women.
“I am incredibly proud to take on this role at the club,” Carter said. “Developing young players and helping them navigate the opportunities and challenges that come with their journey in football is something I am deeply passionate about. This is a club which everyone knows is close to my heart.
“We have always had a strong commitment to youth development, and I am excited to work alongside the Academy staff to ensure our players receive the best possible support.”
May 29, 2026
Luton land Lancefield as Head of Recruitment
Luton Town have appointed William Lancefield as their new Head of Recruitment, with the former Hearts recruitment chief officially taking up his new role on June 19th.
Lancefield has previously worked in scouting and analyst roles at Southampton, Norwich City, Tottenham and Brighton. At Hearts, he played a key role in identifying transfer targets and integrating Jamestown Analytics into the club’s recruitment structure.
His appointment follows a comprehensive end-of-season review of Luton’s recruitment and scouting operations. CEO Gary Sweet described the appointment as “a significant coup,” adding that Lancefield’s experience and clear understanding of the club’s needs made him the outstanding candidate for the role.
Yousuf Sajjad continues as Player Recruitment Manager, Marc Tracy as Chief Scout, and Mick Harford as Senior Scout alongside his ambassadorial role at the club.
The changes also see two long-serving members of the department depart. Jay Socik leaves after more than five years as Head of Recruitment Analysis, having joined full-time in 2021 and played a key role in two Championship play-off campaigns, promotion to the Premier League and this season’s Vertu Trophy win. Senior Scout Alexander Wilkinson also moves on after four years at the club.
Socik, who said his time at Luton had been “an incredible chapter,” will be presenting at TGG’s Scouting & Recruitment Webinar on June 9th — a full-day online conference featuring seven presentations from across the industry.
May 19, 2026
Taylor leaves Bolton B to become Barrow Assistant
Andy Taylor has left his position as Bolton Wanderers B Team Head Coach to become Assistant to Adam Murray at Barrow.
The duo previously worked together at AFC Fylde, winning promotion to the National League in 2023. The former defender, who enjoyed a 15-year playing career that brought more than 350 senior appearances, joined Bolton from Fylde in January 2024,
Bolton relaunched their reserve side in 2021/22 and rebranded it as the B Team for 2022/23 to bridge the gap between Under-18s and senior football while operating at Category Three Academy status.
Taylor guided the side to Lancashire Senior Cup success in 2024/25 and strengthened the Academy-to-first-team pathway.
Bolton will maintain the B Team’s Central League programme at the Eddie Davies Academy while assessing an application for Category Two status that would see the side move into the Professional Development League.
May 15, 2026
Norwich City promote Cornes to Performance Scientist
Norwich City have appointed Michael Cornes as their new First Team Performance Scientist following the completion of his applied PhD studentship.
The three-year doctorate programme was run in partnership with the University of Birmingham, where Cornes focused on athlete behaviour and the club’s state-of-the-art recovery hub.
His promotion marks the first official appointment within the Canaries’ newly-integrated performance department. Under the supervision of the University’s Liam Anderson and club staff, Cornes’ academic insights will now translate directly into daily first-team training protocols.
Writing on LinkedIn, Cornes said: “I’m excited to continue applying elements of this research within the role and helping build on the work already taking place at the club.”