Sheffield Wednesday has acknowledged changes to the coaching system at its academy.
The Star earlier stated that Andy Sharp would be promoted from his job as U18s manager to Head of Academy Coaching, with Jordan Broadbent taking up his old position; both movements have now been confirmed on Wednesday’s official website.
“The summer months have seen a restructure within the Owls academy,” a newspaper report stated. “This has resulted in a shift in the Under-18s’ management structure. Jordan Broadbent, the club’s former Youth Development Phase Manager, has been promoted to Under-18s manager.
Who is in charge of the Sheffield Wednesday youth teams?
Broadbent Sharp will also oversee the U21s team’s game against Watford this afternoon, while usual U21s manager Andy Holdsworth will remain with the senior group. That game will take place at Hillsborough at 2 p.m., with many young players expected to participate due to the number of U21s currently in Henrik Pedersen’s first squad.
Broadbent, a highly regarded young coach, says he is delighted to begin his new post within Middlewood Road’s development levels, admitting that he hopes to make his way up to the first squad in the future.
Speaking on the club’s website, he stated, “I’m really enjoying it.” With Andy and Giles being on the first team, I and Andy Sharp are in charge of the 18s and 21s. I’ve worked extensively with these players for the past two to three years, so we’re very familiar.
“The move from youth development football to professional development phase football, particularly for the boys, is a significant one, so it’s a role I’m eager to dig my teeth into, and hopefully we have a lot of success this season…
“I’m quite ambitious. It’s my aim to play for the first team one day, but I believe the next two to three years of my career will be spent with the 18s and 21s, but as long as we’re properly developing the guys, it doesn’t matter what part I play.”
The U18s got off to a victorious start last week, overcoming a 2-0 deficit to triumph 4-3 at Cardiff City, with goals from Liam Clayton (x2), Harry Chadbourne, and Will Grainger. Their second game resulted in a 1-1 draw with Millwall.
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