STEVE HARPER has been appointed as permanent Academy Manager at Newcastle United. He replaces Joe Joyce, who was stood down from the role in February.

BRIAN KIDD has left Manchester City after 12 years, with Under-18s coach Carlos Vicens stepping up to take his place as assistant manager.

ASTON VILLA are pressing on with plans to open an Inner City Academy which will provide greater opportunities for kids in working class areas of Birmingham. Is it time for other clubs to follow suit?

BURNLEY Academy Manager Jon Pepper, who led the Clarets from Category Three to One, is leaving the club after five years.

ENGLAND Under-17s coach Justin Cochrane has been appointed Head of Player Development and Coaching at Manchester United’s Academy.

HUW JENNINGS and Dan Ashworth have received the 2021 Eamonn Dolan Award for their outstanding contribution to youth development.

HOW increased knowledge of the adolescent brain has changed the way Bristol City coach in their Academy.

MANCHESTER CITY Under-23s boss Enzo Maresca is leaving the club after only a season to become Head Coach of Italian side Parma.

LEAGUE TWO Harrogate are the latest club to enter the EPPP system after being granted Category Four Academy status.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST have been promoted to Category One Academy status for 2021/22 in what has been described as “a very important development for the long-term future of the club.”

BIRMINGHAM CITY have been awarded Category One Academy status, making them the 27th club in the country to reach the top tier.

FORMER Watford midfielder Richard Johnson has been appointed as the club’s new Academy Director, with Jimmy Gilligan taking up the role of Head of Technical Development.