Image Credits: Imago Images
The England men’s development team coaching line-ups for the 2026-27 season have been confirmed from MU15 to MU21 level.
Former Liverpool U21 head coach Barry Lewtas has officially been appointed England MU17 head coach and will lead the team in the UEFA U17 European Championship this season.
Lewtas will be assisted by Graeme Carrick and Matt Thorpe, while Matt Doyle will serve as goalkeeping coach. The MU17s will begin their UEFA U17 EURO qualifying campaign in November, with the 2027 finals set to be held in Latvia next May.
Speaking about the new season’s lineup, FA head of coaching Tim Dittmer said: “We’ve spent a significant amount of time reflecting on recent seasons across our development teams and, as a result, have refined both what we deliver and how we deliver it.
“We’re confident that our new coaching structure, supported by a strengthened multi-disciplinary team, will provide our young players with the environment, support and challenge they need to perform, develop and progress throughout their respective campaigns.”
Lewtas joined England’s men’s development coaching set-up on an interim basis in 2025. He was later appointed England Under-16 head coach and assistant coach of the Under-20s alongside Tom Huddlestone, working under head coach Ben Futcher.
In June 2025, Lewtas stepped down as Liverpool U21 head coach after 12 years with the club. He held several roles at the academy, working with the U12s, U15s/U16s and U18s, whom he led to FA Youth Cup glory in 2019.
He then spent five seasons overseeing the final pathway from the academy to the first team as U21 head coach, while also leading the U19s in the UEFA Youth League.
His impact was reflected in Liverpool’s 2024-25 Premier League-winning squad, which recorded more minutes from academy players than any other team in the division.
Players to have worked under Lewtas include Curtis Jones, who first played for him at U15 level, and Conor Bradley, who worked with him from the U16s onwards. Harvey Elliott also gained valuable experience in his UEFA Youth League teams.
Vitezslav Jaros, James McConnell, Tyler Morton and Jarell Quansah also progressed into the senior side, while his FA Youth Cup-winning squad included Leighton Clarkson and Neco Williams, who have gone on to enjoy success in the Scottish Premiership and Premier League respectively.
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