SOUTHAMPTON Director of Football Matt Crocker has explained why the club have introduced a system of Game Coach and Individual Development Coach, rather than the traditional Head Coach and assistant model.

PAUL WILLIAMS has been appointed Academy Director at Birmingham City, while Academy Manager Mike Dodds has exited the club after 12 years.

FORMER Wigan manager Gary Caldwell has been appointed interim Under-23s boss at Newcastle United following Chris Hogg's exit to join MK Dons.

QPR have formally launched a B Team for the 2021/22 in an effort to increase the number of players making the transition from their Academy to first team.

TRAVIS BINNION will take Manchester United’s Under-18s this season as part of a reshuffle of roles in the Professional Development Phase.

MANCHESTER UNITED'S Academy scout in Holland, Rene Moonen, explains how he scouted promising defender Björn Hardley - and why the way he operates has changed after Brexit.

ENGLAND Under-18s coach Kevin Betsy has been appointed as the new U23s boss at Arsenal.

FORMER Rochdale manager Brian Barry-Murphy has been appointed as Manchester City’s new Under-23s boss as the club unveiled their coaching set-up for the new season.

OLLY LANCASHIRE has returned to Southampton as a player and mentor for their B team. The 32-year-old centre-back, who has played more than 300 senior games, made 17 appearances for Saints at the start of his career.

ANTHONY FERGUSON has left AFC Wimbledon to become Head of Coaching at Category One Reading. He replaces Carl Plunkett, who left the Royals to join Crystal Palace in February.

FORMER Republic of Ireland international Paul McShane has returned to Manchester United as a player-coach with their Under-23s.

FULHAM have announced a restructure of their Category One Academy, with Huw Jennings stepping down as Academy Director after 12 years to take on a new Head of Football Development role.