It is a summer of change at Manchester United with several key positions being filled and not just on the pitch.
Ineos are busy this summer in the transfer market, but also behind the scenes at Manchester United with a pursuit of creating the perfect backroom team.
Jason Wilcox has been appointed director of football this summer, a role which was vacant since Dan Ashworth’s exit in December.
Change has even impacted the canteen, with United hiring a new head chef, showing just how in-depth Ineos’ overhaul has been. One area which has seen a lot of change this summer is the academy.
First U18 head coach Adam Lawrence announced he would be leaving, which was a big blow for United given his importance over the past few years.
Following this, the head of the academy Nick Cox also left United as he accepted a position as Everton’s new technical director. This left two massive roles to be filled, and now Wilcox has turned to a club legend to solve one problem.
Darren Fletcher holding ball and ball-bag for Manchester United warm-up.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Darren Fletcher set for Manchester United U18 head coach
The huge improvements over the past few years within the academy were largely down to Lawrence and Cox, which makes finding suitable replacements pivotal.
Well, now according to journalist Laurie Whitwell and The Athletic, Wilcox has picked United legend Darren Fletcher to become the new U18 head coach.
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The report claims that Fletcher is in talks over the role change at United after being offered the job by both Wilcox and the outgoing Cox.
Fletcher could have continued in his role as a first-team coach under Ruben Amorim but the 41-year-old has instead decided that now is the right time to take his first head coach role in football.
Being a former United academy graduate himself, Fletcher is seen by Wilcox as the perfect fit for a role that will see him prime some of the country’s best for senior football.
Fletcher has a UEFA A License and this experience managing an elite academy side will allow him to earn his UEFA Pro License.
Sir Alex Ferguson will be delighted with Fletcher’s appointment
Fletcher knows United inside and out, making 342 first-team appearances for the club over the years after becoming the 164th academy graduate under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Being Scottish, Ferguson and Fletcher always had a bond, and in 2017 while the midfielder was playing for West Brom, the legendary United boss praised him, as per Baggies club media.
“I love the guy; he is a fantastic professional,” Ferguson said. “I always liked to play him in big games. He is a big-game player.”
Fletcher’s professionalism not only served him well in his playing career but also in his various roles at United since retiring from football.
He is ideal for this role and we’re very excited to see how he fares. One thing he will be gutted about is he has taken charge too late to coach his twin sons, Jack and Tyler who will be knocking on Amorim’s door next season.