Academy Manager Dickman exits Sunderland
Dickman worked for Sunderland in two spells spanning seven years
Written by Simon Austin — August 2, 2022
LEWIS DICKMAN has left Sunderland after 18 months as their Academy Manager.
The news comes after the Black Cats were awarded only a one-year Category One Academy licence, rather than the usual three. This is because of concerns that the Professional Game Academy Audit Company (PGAAC) had about the Academy and puts Sunderland on the same footing as West Brom and Nottingham Forest, who were also awarded only provisional Category One licences.
Dickman was serving his second spell with the Black Cats, having started with them as a Youth Development Coach in May 2010. He left in 2014 to become a coach educator with the Football Association for five years before returning in October 2019 as Head of Coaching.
In February 2021 he was promoted to permanent Academy Manager, having performed the role on an interim basis for the previous eight months. Stuart English will now look after the Academy until a permanent Academy Manager is appointed.
Sunderland Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman said: “Lewis has been a part of our Academy set-up for many years and we thank him for his contribution. On behalf of the staff and players at SAFC, we wish him well in his future endeavours.”
There have been a number of staff departures from Sunderland in the last few weeks. Goalkeeper coach David Preece and first-team coach Phil Jevons departed last month, while Michele Di Mascio has also left his position as Head of Player Care.
Dickman's brother, Elliott, who had been in charge of the Under-23s, left for Newcastle United last November and Head of Performance Andrew Young left earlier this year after only a couple of months in post.
Jamie Harley, who worked for Newcastle for 11 years before a brief and ill-fated spell with Everton under Rafa Benitez last season, has been appointed as the club’s new Head of Performance and Medicine.
Mike Dodds and Michael Proctor have joined the senior set-up on a permanent basis as first-team coaches. Dodds will continue to oversee individual player development and the pathway from the U21s to the senior team, with Proctor co-ordinating the club’s loan programme.
A replacement for Preece has yet to be made, with Mark Prudhoe working as interim first-team goalkeeping coach. The club are also looking to appoint a Senior Professional Development Phase Coach and an U23s lead.
Sunderland placed 30th in TGG's 2020/21 Academy Productivity Rankings.
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