MANCHESTER UNITED have made a number of changes to their Academy scouting and recruitment department as they beef up their UK operations following Brexit.

GARETH OWEN is to remain as Stoke City Academy Manager after reversing his previous decision to depart. In July, Stoke announced that Owen was leaving after more than a decade to “seek a new adventure within the game.”

CARDIFF CITY have officially opened their new £8m Academy, returning their youth set-up to within the city limits.

SOUTHAMPTON have appointed new Under-21 and U18 coaches as part of a major revamp of roles in their Academy.

DAVID WETHERALL has joined Huddersfield Town as Strategic Advisor to their Academy after leaving his role as Director of Youth Development at the EFL after 12 years.

NICK IRWIN has left the Professional Game Academy Audit Company (PGAAC) after three years to take up the new role of Head of Academy Operations and Compliance at West Ham.

PEP LIJNDERS explains why homegrown players will always remain fundamental to Liverpool, despite the clamour for signings - and outlines the principle behind the weekly 'Talent Group.'

VFB Stuttgart’s Thomas Krucken has succeeded Jason Wilcox as Manchester City’s Academy Director.

FORMER Sunderland manager Jack Ross has been appointed Head of Coach Development at Newcastle United.

CHRIS McGUANE has been promoted to Academy Manager at Nottingham Forest, with Craig Mulholland arriving from Scotland to become Head of Football Development and Talent Management.

BURNLEY have appointed Shrewsbury Town’s David Longwell as their new Academy Manager.

INIGO IDIAKEZ has replaced Tony Carss as Aston Villa’s Under-21s Head Coach. The Spaniard, 49, joins from Mexican Second Division side Cancun, where he was Head Coach last season.