revie-era wrote:WR is correct
There is now a golden opportunity for re structuring of the Academy. The FA's new blueprint for youth coaching "The Future Game" is up and running and we need innovative youth coaches to deliver at Leeds.
On the continent, particularly in Spain, Holland and Germany the youth coaches are diamonds, and are treated as such. They are well paid, have racks of qualifications that are hard earned, - they complete far more hours on their coaching qualifications that their English counterparts, and bring plenty of experience as they stay in post for years. Clubs have a structure for Youth Development and give their coaches support and time to deliver.
The classic case over here in recent years is the Dutch fella who was at M** U** (cant remember his name), . For an English comparisson look no further than Tony Carr at West Ham who I've had the pleasure of seeing in action. The number of players he's brought through their Academy is staggering.
Lets get the right coaches in position at Thorp Arch, give them the resources and support structure, and they'l do the job.
Bob on revie - this is a massive opportunity. I would go for someone from spain/france/holland myself [unless we can rob yer man from poplar]. I would seek advice from Wenger and maybe even Dario Gradi. Folk who value youth development above aall else. We need a modern, progressive coach who shuns 'just get rid' type comments from the crowd when the centre half has the ball. Most folk seem to think kicking someone up in the air is the sign of a good player at ER. This is a golden moment. Let's hope Bates has the club at heart now :rasta:
Twiggster wrote:Just a though - Sgt Wilko is Ken's guest of honour at the new Howard's Way restaurant (this week?)...open to the public. Anyone want to go along for a meal and ask Wilko what he thinks about these cuts at the Academy HE set up?
I think Wilko would be happy if he was offered the job of rebuilding it. Its had failed for the last 5 years, but previous to that was one of the best in the country. Would be happy if Radebe was involved or get Paul Hart back.
I see this as an opportunity - I told a story on here last year when I bumped into a mate of mine at the Newcastle pre-season game. He's a big Leeds fan lives in Huddersfield, his son is 12 year old and a massive Leeds fan, great little player. He was at the Academy but has left and is now at Scum Academy. He says that quality of coaching is the big difference, this lad now has Ole Gunnar Solksjaer teaching him how to score goals. Sad story, but can't really blame the Dad who wants the best for his son.
Yeah some great points and really anything coming through in recent years seems more by accident or luck than the forward planning done by Wilko and his 10 year plan which gave us the backbone of the Euro semis teams. I don't see it as a Bates issue as restructuring the youth set up and getting it right is in everyone's interest as it produces a conveyor belt of cheap players that are hopefully either played or sold for decent fees.
When you look at the young players in the first team in recent years it highlights the problem as there is only Howson, Delph, White and Parker in recent years that have featured and SG seems very reluctant to being players into the first team which would suggest he doesn't really rate any of the current lads too highly.
Cjay wrote: ↑Sat May 17, 2025 4:23 pm
I've pretended to support a team that's been crap for most of my life as part of a long term plan
Victor_Notts-17 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2026 7:03 pm
Did you post them because there's something wrong with your brain
It's a good bit of PR from the club on the Academy. But the timing still seems really odd to me. But whatever, it's a decent statement about the need for the Academy to keep on progressing and getting better.
RIP Twiggster, March 5, 2023
Chris & Kevin | Never Forgotten | April 5, 2000
Gary Andrew Speed, MBE — Always In Our Hearts, 1969-2011
Sorry but it reads like nothing more than a bunch of meaningless mission statements to me.
In England it reads like the CEO telling us why he released the academy managers, why and what he has asked Williams to do and what he expects from the academy - home grown players for the first team. Bates in
Bates in 
