England development teams coaching structure confirmed for 2017-18 campaign

Tuesday 25 Jul 2017

England’s coaching line-up for the new season has been confirmed as the various men's development teams look to build on last term’s success.

With new Euro campaigns kicking-off for the Under-21s and Under-19s, it’s also a big year for the Under-17s as they host the Euro Finals next May.

There’s a World Cup for the last campaign’s under-17 year group, who will head to India in October before continuing the season with an under-18 programme.

And, for the Under-20s, the introduction of a new Euro Elite League will see the Young Lions enjoy a full and competitive programme in the absence of a World Cup this year.

After leading the Under-21s to the semi-final of the Euros in June, Aidy Boothroyd will continue in his role as head coach, assisted by coach Colin Cooper and goalkeeping coach Tim Dittmer.

They begin the new season with their first Euro qualifier for the new campaign away in the Netherlands on 1 September before they take on Latvia at AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday 5 September.

U21s

Head coach: Aidy Boothroyd

Out of possession coach: Colin Cooper

Goalkeeping coach: Tim Dittmer

Competition: UEFA European U21 Championship, Italy & San Marino 2019

Players eligible: Born after 1 January 1996

There’s also Dutch opposition for the U20s, who will be led by Keith Downing, when they play their first game of the new season at home before travelling to face Switzerland away in early September.

Of course, this season's U20s squad will be well-known to Downing after he coached them to last season's U19 Euro title earlier this month.

And the new batch of U19s head into the season preparing to defend that Euro title with Paul Simpson at the helm as head coach.

Simpson, who led the U20s to the World Cup title in June, will be assisted by coaches Aaron Danks and Andy Edwards along with goalkeeping coach Richard Hartis.

They will kick-off the new season with two friendly games against Poland and Germany in early September, with venues still to be confirmed.

U20s

Head coach: Keith Downing

In possession coach: Mark Robson

Goalkeeping coach: Eric Steele

Competition: European Elite League

Players eligible: Born after 1 January 1998

U19s

Head coach: Paul Simpson

In possession coach: Aaron Danks

Out of possession coach: Andy Edwards

Goalkeeping coach: Richard Hartis

Competition: UEFA European U19 Championship, Finland 2018
Players eligible: Born after 1 January 1999

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For the U18s, Steve Cooper will be in charge for the first get-together which will be a mini-tournament at St. George’s Park in September to warm-up for the U17 World Cup the following month.

Following the trip to India, Cooper will revert to his role as U17s head coach as the Young Lions turn their attentions to the Euro Finals on home soil at the end of the season.

Neil Dewsnip, who led a mixed-age squad to a successful defence of the Toulon Tournament title in June, will oversee the U17s’ first meet-up of the season for a tournament on home soil in mid-August, before taking over the U18s squad for the remainder of the term after the World Cup.

U18s

For U17 World Cup

Head coach: Steve Cooper

In possession coach: Mike Marsh

Out of possession coach: Lee Skryme

Goalkeeping coach: Jack Robinson

Post U17 World Cup

Head coach: Neil Dewsnip

In possession coach: Lee Skryme

Goalkeeping coach: Mark Mason

Players eligible: Born after 1 January 2000

U17s

For August and September games

Head coach: Neil Dewsnip

Out of possession coach: Ian Foster

Goalkeeping coach: Jack Robinson

From November

Head coach: Steve Cooper

In possession coach: Mike Marsh

Out of possession coach: Ian Foster

Goalkeeping coach: Jack Robinson

Competition: UEFA European U17 Championship, England 2017

Players eligible: Born after 1 January 2001

Speaking about the new season’s coaching line-up, The FA’s head of development team coaching, Matt Crocker said: “We are delighted with the progress of our development teams, after the unprecedented successes in major tournaments and finals this summer.

“With this in mind the structure for next season will see as much continuity as possible throughout the teams as we start to introduce a two-year model for players and staff to work together for longer which we see significant advantages to.

“We are still at the beginning of a journey, it will only get harder next season as we have set the bar high.”

By Nicholas Veevers Content Manager - FA Owned Channels

Young Lions set for new season