Buckman promoted to Academy Manager by Brighton
Ian Buckman joined Brighton in May 2013
Written by Simon Austin — September 7, 2022
IAN BUCKMAN has been promoted to Academy Manager by Brighton after almost a decade with the club.
He stepped up to replace John Morling on an interim basis in May and has now been given the job permanently. Brighton advertised the vacancy in May, setting out to find someone “to provide leadership to all areas of the Academy, programmes and staff” and “drive the club’s main vision and the Academy’s part in that through operational management, strategic planning and leadership.”
Following the recruitment process they decided to go for the man in possession and promoted from within. Buckman joined the Seagulls in May 2013 and has been their Head of Academy Coaching since February 2019.
Morling departed after a decade in May and is now a consultant with the Football Association of Ireland. He worked in tandem with Buckman for almost all his time at the club, helping the Seagulls achieve Category One status as well as massively improving their productivity.
Last season Brighton were top of the whole Premier League for homegrown minutes. According to the CIES Football Observatory, 29.9% of their total league minutes went to club-trained players (defined as those who had spent at least three seasons with the club between the ages of 15 & 21). Manchester United were second with 27.8% and Chelsea third with 24.5%.
Brighton have endured key departures in recent months, with Technical Director Dan Ashworth leaving to join Newcastle United, followed by Morling's exit. There could soon be a third key departure with Head Coach Graham Potter on the verge of joining Chelsea.
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