Liverpool FC Appoint Gerrard Replacement

Liverpool FC tab Barry Lewtas to succeed Steven Gerrard as coach of the U-18s.

Academy set up is crucial to creating a sustainable footballing team. For a side whose ties to the community are so rich and deep, that connection is even more important as the longing for Scousers to don the LFC shirt at Anfield is a real and true longing. And with that pipeline seemingly running thin at the moment, with only Trent Alexander-Arnold of note to have claimed a true stake at potential greatness with the first team following Scouse legends Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, it becomes all the more important to ensure the system is at tip-top shape.

As such, today, Liverpool FC have announced that they have filled the vacancy in youth academy coaching left by Steven Gerrard and have tabbed familiar face Barry Lewtas to take over. Lewtas has immense experience, having been part of the youth set ups at Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers before coming to Melwood in 2013. Over that time, he has overseen the development for the U10-U12 age range and has most recently been in charge of the U16s.

With this promotion, it’s conceivable that Lewtas will have had consistent contact with a cohort of academy prospects that have been around for the entirety of his stay. While not being an expert on academy coaching or youth development, I can only imagine that the kind of constant and consistent influence can only be a good thing for the youth. With stable guidance and commitment to their development, the environment would seemingly be set for smooth transitions for promising youngsters working their way up towards the first team.

One can only hope that the steady guidance of Lewtas, under the shrewd and capable oversight of Alex Inglethorpe, will continue to pay dividends as we unearth the next TAA over the next few years.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com