Newcastle United are now searching for a new under-21s boss after Diarmuid O'Carroll left the club to take up a new role with Sparta Prague
Newcastle United are searching for a new under-21 boss
Newcastle United are searching for a new under-21 boss
Newcastle United are searching for a new under-21s boss following the departure of Diarmuid O'Carroll.
O'Carroll, who is also part of Northern Ireland's senior coaching team, only took charge of the Young Magpies last September.
It was viewed as a coup at the time - Newcastle hailed O'Carroll as a 'highly-rated' coach - and ChronicleLive previously reported that the Irishman even turned down 'a couple of other big jobs' as a first-team assistant to take up the position.
However, Newcastle have announced that O'Carroll has now left the club to take up a role as first-team coach at Sparta Prague.
Academy director Steve Harper said: "I’d like to thank Diarmuid for his time with us leading the under-21 group.
"The opportunity to work in Europe is an exciting one for him and we wish him the best of luck as his coaching career continues.
"He is the third professional development phase coach to be headhunted from our academy for a first team senior football role in the last 12 months, which demonstrates that our Academy development pathway works not just for players but for staff too.
"The process of recruiting a new under-21s lead coach is under way."
O'Carroll worked closely with, among others, Sean Neave and Leo Shahar as a particularly young group finished ninth in Premier League 2 last season.
The Irishman, as Harper mentioned, has now followed in the footsteps of predecessor Ben Dawson and former under-18s boss Graeme Carrick, who also left Newcastle to take up first-team roles elsewhere.
O'Carroll has already started work with new Sparta boss Brian Priske, who has returned for a second stint in charge, after previously leading the Czech side to a league and cup double just a couple of years ago.
Sparta Prague competed in the Champions League last season, but Lars Friis was sacked after finishing in fourth place in the league and losing the Czech cup final.
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