Bulletin Board

Bulletin Board

Who’s in, who’s out and what’s available

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.

TGG Members: Manchester United staff profiles

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. 

TGG Members: Everton staff profiles

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.”