Club Announce Imminent Academy Coaching Exit
Liverpool’s youth setup will see the departure of U18s coach, Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, at the end of the season.
Liverpool’s youth setup is recognized as among the best in all of Europe. Responsible for first team players like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, and Jarell Quansah, the Academy is a key contributor of the Reds’ overall success in the past 10 years.
This past week, however, the club have announced that a key player in that period of abundance will be leaving the setup: Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, current U18 coach, will be stepping down at the end of the season.
Bridge-Wilkinson has been with the club for 10 years, the first half of his tenure split between the U14 and U15/16 units. The last 5 years has seen him hold the role of U18 coach at the club.
Alex Inglethorpe, Academy Director for LFC, noted the key figures that have passed under the tutelage of Bridge-Wilkinson:
“The likes of Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley and Tyler Morton were among the U18s group he led to an FA Youth Cup final, all of whom have taken that important next step to the LFC first team, among many others. I’d like to offer Marc sincere thanks for his wonderful service, and I know everyone at the club will wish him well in his future endeavours.”
It can’t be overstated that the players he’s helped to mold are not only well-regarded amongst the LFC fanbase, but also among other football fans within England and beyond. And when one considered how central developing players from within the youth setup is to LFC’s model for sustainability and success within the hyper-monied Premier League, Bridge-Wilkinson’s contributions become that much more vital.
Best wishes to Marc on this next phase and here’s hoping the braintrust at LFC is able to find a coach as capable and nurturing him.
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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