Adam Pope has reported that Leeds United are close to appointing Andy Foster as the club’s new head of Academy coaching, coming from Middlesbrough.

The Whites have been on the hunt for a new head of Academy coaching ever since Richard Cresswell left the role in the summer. Cresswell joined the club in this capacity in the summer of 2018 around the time that Marcelo Bielsa joined the club.

The role of ‘head of Academy coaching’ is to oversee the coaching of the academy by looking to implement coaching methods that filter down to all age groups. The importance of this role in the club cannot be understated, especially with the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa that same summer, who looked to implement a complete change in philosophy from top to bottom at the club and breed more consistency in the coaching strategies. Cresswell’s job was to make sure this ran smoothly.

Andy Foster joins the club to continue this work and ensure the academy runs as smoothly as it has been, and to continue implementing Marcelo Bielsa’s ideology into the youth teams. He arrives after leaving Middlesbrough’s set up and has been a national coach developer for the FA in his career, outlining that he has been held in very high regard in his career.

The Verdict

This move is very smart from Leeds in the long-term because it ensures a consistency in approach throughout the age groups at Elland Road, meaning when talents are ready to make the step up, there isn’t a culture shock to become accustomed to.

Leeds have a highly-regarded academy so they need someone in place who is capable of getting the most out of the talent pool at his disposal, which Foster seems able to do.

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