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Every supporter in the land likes seeing players emerge from the academy and pull on a first-team shirt. It gives fans a connection with the team and lets kids dream about walking the same road.
But who sets the example for England’s academy stars? Which clubs turn to veteran players to pass on the best messages to the next generation?
Sportsmail has taken a look at the clubs in the Premier League employing former players to teach their academy stars.
Arsenal have looked to fill their academy with coaches who have experience of playing for the Gunnners. Under-23s coach Steve Gatting made 58 appearances for the club, helping them win the FA Cup in 1979. Kwame Ampadu, father of Chelsea midfielder Ethan, is an Under-18s coach and played twice for the club. Head of youth scouting Steve Morrow famously scored the winner in the 1993 League Cup final before breaking his arm in the celebrations and won the Cup Winners’ Cup against Parma in 1994. Head foundation phase coach Ryan Garry started the 6-1 win against Southampton in 2003, the first game of Arsenal’s 49-game unbeaten run.
Bournemouth’s Under-21 management team is filled with former Cherries players, not least Carl Fletcher, the manager, who made 193 league appearances for the club. He also captained the side as they won the 2003 Division Three play-off final and shares a name with a Harchester United icon. Assistant Mark Molesley had a loan and permanent period at Bournemouth and was part of the squad as they won League One. Goalkeeping coach Gareth Stewart was in the Division Three play-off squad, while Under-18s head coach Alan Connell had two spells at the club and scored the goal to earn promotion back to League One in 2010.
Under-23s manager Michael Duff is a veritable Burnley icon, playing for the club for 12 years between 2004 and 2016. He earned promotion to the Premier League with the Turf Moor side on three separate occasions during that time, making 342 league appearances, although some people will always remember him better as a Championship Manager icon. His assistant Andy Farrell played over 300 games for the club and was the only player in the club’s history to wear No 1 to 11 during the old numbering system and play in two Wembley finals.
Chelsea’s huge academy means plenty of spots for former professionals. Jody Morris, now Under-18 team manager, won the Cup Winners’ Cup, FA Cup and Super Cup with the Blues. Loan technical coach Eddie Newton was also part of the side that won the Cup Winners’ Cup and picked up a League Cup and FA Cup of his own, while Paulo Ferreira, who has the same role, was part of the last decade of dominance before hanging up his boots. Tore Andre Flo, who scored 34 goals for Chelsea in the league, is also a loan player coach, while there are also positions for Andy Myers and Jon Harley.
Crystal Palace have a number of former faces, including Richard Shaw, the Under-23s manager. The 49-year-old came through Palace’s youth system and played in the 1990 FA Cup final, which the Eagles lost. He was also involved in the Kung-Fu kick incident that Eric Cantona gained infamy for. Paddy McCarthy, who won the play-offs with the club in 2013, is Under-18s head coach. Under-15s assistant Darren Powell and Under-14s head coach Rob Quinn also represented Palace during their careers.
David Unsworth may currently be in charge of the first-team but his usual role is looking after the kids as the Under-23s manager. The former defender made over 300 appearances for the Toffees over two spells, winning the FA Cup with them in 1995. Academy coach Phil Jevons won the FA Youth Cup with them in 1998 and was rewarded with eight first-team games before moving elsewhere.
There is only one former Liverpool player involved in their academy structure. It is fair to say, however, that it is a big one. Iconic midfielder Steven Gerrard became Under-18s manager in the summer as he looks to carve out a career as a manager. Gerrard lifted the Champions League in 2005 and also won the League Cup on three occasions and the FA Cup twice as a player for the Reds, the only club he represented in England.
Manchester City’s huge academy means opportunities for their former players. Under-15s manager Mark Kennedy won promotion to the Premier League with City in 1999-00 but also suffered a swift relegation before being sold to Wolves after 66 games. Gareth Taylor, Under-18s boss, would have shared a dressing room with Kennedy during his three years at Maine Road, during which time he won promotion.
Manchester United have an incredible tradition of youth development. One of their most famous outputs was the Class of '92, and it makes sense a member of that group would be in charge of the academy. Nicky Butt was appointed to that role in February 2016 and has already had success, bringing through the likes of Scott McTominay. Butt won the Premier League six times, the Champions League, and the FA Cup on three occasions while playing for United.
Peter Beardsley is arguably one of Newcastle’s most famous youth products ever, going on to have a fantastic career with the North East club and other teams including Liverpool and Everton. He is also in charge of the last stage of development at Newcastle as the Under-23s manager.
Southampton have earned a well deserved reputation for bringing through young players over the last few seasons. One man helping with that is Radhi Jaidi, the Under-23s assistant manager. He played for the Saints between 2009 and 2012, a period that saw them leap from League One to the Premier League. Also at the club is Danny Butterfield, who works as an Under-18s coach. Butterfield also won those two promotions but stuck around for some of the first season in the Premier League.
Stoke’s professional development coach Kevin Russell knows the area well after an initial loan spell in 1992 before joining the club on a permanent basis. During his single full season at Stoke, Russell earned promotion to the first division by helping the team win the third tier. Gareth Owen, lead foundation phase coach, came through the club’s youth system and made five senior appearances between 2001 and 2005.
Swansea have plenty of former senior players in their youth set-up. Gary Richards, head of professional development phase, began his career with the Swans, playing 66 games, before setting off on a nomadic career that included time in Sweden. Alan Tate, Under-17 coach, played 254 games in the league as Swansea completed their meteoric rise from League One to the Premier League. Under-14 coach Paul Reid featured 20 times in a single season while Under-12 coach Gareth Phillips was part of the side that won the third division in 1999-00.
Who better to learn from than a former club Player of the Year? Tottenham’s Under-18s have that opportunity courtesy of coach Scott Parker, who played for the club between 2011 and 2013. He featured 50 times at White Hart Lane. They also have an icon in their ranks in Pat Jennings, who works as a goalkeeping coach for the academy. Jennings won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup with Spurs while making 472 appearances over two spells.
Goalkeeping development coach Alec Chamberlain finally found a home in Watford when he joined them in 1996. While there, he twice won promotion to the Premier League and once from Division Two. He became the second oldest player to feature in the Premier League in May 2007 when he came on as a substitute at 42 years and 327 days of age.
Darren Moore, professional development phase coach and loan manager, was part of the famous boing-boing Baggies side in the mid-2000s that developed a reputation as a yo-yo club between the Premier League and Championship. He won promotion, was relegated and then won promotion again as a key figure in the West Brom defence.
Teams without former players/no information on former players: Brighton, Huddersfield, Leicester, West Ham.
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