Man Utd U18s Lead Coach to depart at end of season
Written by
Training Ground Guru
May 14, 2025
Manchester United Under-18s Lead Coach Adam Lawrence is leaving his role at the end of this season to “seek a new challenge elsewhere in the game.”
Lawrence (pictured with U18s Assistant Colin Little) joined the club in January 2021 from Charlton, where he had been Head of Coaching. He was originally United’s U16s Lead, before being promoted to the U18s in July 2023. Under Lawrence’s stewardship, United won the U18s Premier League and Premier League Cup last season.
United’s Academy Director, Nick Cox, said: “Adam has contributed greatly to our club throughout his four years at Manchester United. His passion for helping young players to maximise their potential has played an important role in the success of our Academy system.
“We take great pride in supporting and witnessing the development of our staff. Adam is a fine example of that, moving up from the Under-16s to the Under-18s, enjoying success and now being ready to seek a new challenge in the game.
“The whole of the Academy thanks Adam for his service and wishes him the very best of luck for the future”
Lawrence added: “It has been a privilege to work for Manchester United. It has been a very special few years with this group; I’ve been fortunate to work with many of this season’s Under-18s right through from the Under-16s level and witness their growth as people as well as players.
“During the last two years, all the staff across the Professional Development Phase can be very proud of the work we have done to support the players. The style of play, the focus on individual development and the culture of the Academy that we have supported; it has been a real privilege to play my part in helping the group.
“I’m now ready for the next challenge but I’ll always cherish the memories made at this great club and can’t wait to see what the future holds for the players I’ve had the pleasure of working with.”
United said the process to appoint a new Lead Coach was underway and would “conclude ahead of the 2025/26 season.”
United’s Academy has undergone significant change this season. In November, “best-in-class youth developers” Tom Curtis and Simon Wiles joined as Head of Player Development for the Youth Development Phase (Under-13s to U16s) and Lead U14s Coach respectively.
Tommy Rowe joined earlier in the season as an over-aged player-coach for the U21s, while Neil Harris (Lead Youth Development Phase Coach), Stuart Leicester (Lead Coach on the Manchester United Schoolboy Scholarship Scheme), Chris Backhouse (Foundation Phase Lead Goalkeeping Coach) and Rich Ashcroft (Lead Youth Development Phase Coach) all departed.
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