Harper succeeds Joyce as Newcastle Academy Manager

STEVE HARPER has been appointed as permanent Academy Manager by Newcastle United after holding the role on an interim basis since February.

The 46-year-old is the club's all-time longest-serving player, having spent 20 years as a goalkeeper at St James' Park from 1993 to 2013. He was Academy Goalkeeper Coach for the club from 2016 to 2019 and first-team goalkeeper coach from November 2019.

In February he was seconded to the youth set-up after Academy Director Joe Joyce was stood down from the role after 15 years. It was reported that Joyce's wife had raised a dispute with the club over the treatment of their son, Sam, who had been an Under-18s player at Newcastle before being released in 2019.

"I'm passionate about our club and to lead our Academy is an honour and a privilege. The club, head coach and all the staff have been fantastic, and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support.

"We want to help our young people to become better players and have a successful career in the game. Equally importantly, we are developing them as people, instilling them with the right values to support their onward journeys.

"The Academy provides them with wonderful opportunities on and off the pitch and I'm excited to be working with a great team to drive our Academy forwards for the benefit of everyone involved.

Managing Director Lee Charnley added: "Steve is a great fit for the position of academy manager. He has served Newcastle United as a player, coach and ambassador fantastically over the years and will use his passion for our club to further develop the Academy.

"His experiences on and off the pitch and his knowledge of the club bring a unique perspective to the role and will be of great benefit to all involved with the Academy."