Eastick to take U21s reins
Thursday, 09 February, 2012
U21s coach Brian Eastick will be in charge for meeting with Belgium.
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Following Stuart Pearce's appointment as the England Senior Team Manager for the meeting with Holland at Wembley on 29 February, Brian Eastick will stand-in for Pearce as Under-21s Head Coach for their Euro 2013 Qualifier on the same night.
The Three Lions, who currently top their 2013 UEFA European Championship Qualifying group, face Belgium at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium, and for Eastick the surroundings will be familiar having been a coach in Pearce's Under-21s set-up since 2009.
A former England youth and Crystal Palace player, Eastick went into coaching at a young age and held positions coaching young players with the likes of Chelsea, QPR, Brighton, Charlton, Leyton Orient, Coventry City, Crewe Alexandra and Sheffield United over a 30 year career.
He also held the position of Academy Director with both Birmingham City and Newcastle United more recently before joining The FA in 2005.
Initially taking charge of the U18 and U19 sides, he led them to two consecutive European U19 Championship Finals, coming within one game of lifting the title in 2009 when his side lost to hosts Ukraine in the Final.
He was also England U20s Head Coach in two FIFA U20 World Cups, most recently leading them to the Second Round of the competition in Colombia last summer.
Tickets for England's meeting with Belgium on Wednesday 29 February 2012 (6pm ko) are on sale now. Calling 0844 499 1234, buy online at www.mfc.co.uk or in person at the Riverside ticket office.