Manchester United have welcomed back their old coach after his exit from Newcastle
Former Man United under-18s coach Adam Lawrence has left Newcastle United.
Former Man United under-18s coach Adam Lawrence has left Newcastle United.(Image: Newcastle United via Getty image)
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Adam Lawrence has returned to Manchester United to manage their Under-21s after sensationally quitting a similar role at Newcastle United just a couple of weeks ago.
Lawrence, who had joined the Magpies from Man Utd, returns to his old club where he will look after the U21s until the end of the season. He was formerly Under-18 manager at Carrington but stepped away from the role last summer.
He joined Newcastle to manage their U21s but lasted just four months in the north east before deciding to leave. He replaces Travis Binnion as Man United's U21 manager, after he was recently appointed to Michael Carrick's first team backroom staff.
After tendering his Newcastle resignation just after the turn of the year, Lawrence took to LinkedIn to say it had been a difficult decision.
He wrote: "I have made the decision to leave my role as U21 Player Development Lead at Newcastle United Academy.
"After being at the club for a short period of time this was a really difficult decision to make. However, there are times in life where you have to make tough choices and this is one of those moments.
"I would like to thank Steve Harper for the opportunity to work at such an amazing club, and wish the Academy and Club every success in the future. Newcastle is a truly special place. I look forward to exploring potential opportunities that are out there for me."
Robbie Stockdale has been appointed as interim manager of Newcastle's U21s while a recruitment process takes place. Stockdale was working as assistant to Lawrence and has managed in the EFL as well as having a caretaker stint in charge of Sunderland.
Lawrence oversaw a treble with Man United's U18s in 2023/2024, winning two trophies at the expense of rivals Man City. He will now help the development of the U21s for the remainder of the campaign.
Man United rate Lawrence highly and he still lives in Manchester with his family, having not moved them up to Tyneside.
Lawrence was appointed as United's Under-16 coach in January 2021 before being promoted to head of player development for the Under-13 to U16 age groups. He was subsequently appointed as U18 boss in 2023.
Man United have also confirmed that Darren Fletcher will take on additional responsibilities by leading the professional development phase (U17 to U21) for the remainder of the season. Fletcher will continue in his role as U18 boss, which he returned to after his first-team caretaker stint.
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