The FA has appointed Steve Wigley as a National Coach. Wigley will work with the 17 to 21 age group in close liaison with clubs and academies to develop young English talent.

The FA's Director of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking said: "Steve's appointment completes the restructuring of our coach education and national coach set-up.

"We are now well-equipped to support both the grassroots and the professional game in working to change and improve the way we develop our young players. Our new coaching philosophy puts an emphasis on skills development and age-specific coaching qualifications which we believe is the right way forward.

"Steve will be travelling the country to get much closer to the clubs and help agree the changes we believe the professional game needs to make."

Wigley was most recently first team coach at Manchester City. Previously he worked at Southampton where he was director of youth, assistant manager and manager.

He has also worked with England's Under-21s on two occasions, first alongside David Platt, and then with Stuart Pearce during the second half of the 2006-07 season including during the European U21 Championship in Holland. Wigley's new role will see him continue to work as assistant to Pearce for the forthcoming U21 Euro 2009 qualifying campaign.

Wigley, who took his UEFA Pro-Licence with The FA, will also be working with Head of Coaching John Peacock and Coach Education Manager Steve Rutter on coach education.