Stu Forster/Getty Images
Newcastle United have confirmed a coaching departure from the club with Diarmuid O’Connell moving on.
O’Connell has been working as the lead coach of Newcastle’s Under-21s side with the responsibility for leading teams in the Premier League 2 and developing top talents.
Newcastle’s Under-21s managed to finish in ninth spot in the recent Premier League 2 with O’Connell at the helm.
Now he is departing the Magpies and is heading to the Czech Republic.
O’Connell has taken the role of first team coach at Czech giants Sparta Prague.
Newcastle said in a statement: “Newcastle United Under-21s lead coach Diarmuid O’Carroll has joined Czech First League side Sparta Prague as a first team coach.”
Sparta Prague managed a finish of fourth in the Championship Group in the Czech top flight this season.
Team Points
1st. Slavia Prague 90
2nd. Viktoria Plzen 74
3rd. Banik Ostrava 71
4th. Sparta Prague 63
5th. FK Jablonec 63
As such they have qualified for the Conference League next term and O’Connell will look to make an impact as first team coach.
Former Feyenoord boss Brian Priske is the current manager at Sparta Prague.
Newcastle will now get to work to identify and recruit another lead coach for their Under-21s side.
The Magpies said: “The process of recruiting a new Under-21s lead coach is under way.”
All eyes will be on who eventually gets what is a key role at the football club.