Arsenal appoint new academy coach | OneFootball

Arsenal have appointed David Horseman as a new academy coach, with Horseman to take charge of the u19s in the UEFA Youth League this season.

Photo via Arsenal.com

Arsenal have confirmed the appointment of David Horseman as the club’s new professional development phase – elite player development coach.

More specifically, the plan is for Horseman to manage the Arsenal u19s in the UEFA Youth League, as well as managing the Arsenal u21s in the EFL Trophy.

Photo via Arsenal.com

The Arsenal u21s are primarily coached by Max Porter, and the Arsenal u18s by Adam Birchall. The u19s haven’t always had a dedicated coach, as they only play in the UEFA Youth League and generally utilise almost exactly the same squad as the u18s.

Similar is true of the EFL Trophy. As an u21 competition, Arsenal have generally been coached in it by their usual u21 manager (which is currently Porter).

But the club are now dividing up responsibilities, with Porter to focus on the Premier League 2, Horseman to take charge in the EFL Trophy and UEFA Youth League, and Birchall to focus on the u18 Premier League.

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

There had been rumours that Jack Wilshere was in talks to return to the club this summer, initially as the u21 head coach.

But reports suggest he was ultimately offered the job Horseman has taken, coaching the u19s in the Youth League and the u21s in the EFL Trophy, as well as acting as an assistant to Porter in the Premier League 2.

That job didn’t appeal to Wilshere quite as much, so he turned it down to focus on trying to break into first-team management. The Gunners have now found an alternative.

Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images

“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the Arsenal academy,” Horseman said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to supporting the development of the players while also leading the UEFA Youth League and EFL Trophy teams.

“I can’t wait to get started and contribute to the exciting work already being done here at Arsenal.”

Horseman has previously held first-team and academy coaching positions at Southampton, Watford, Bristol Rovers, Forest Green Rovers and Manchester United, and he was in attendance for Arsenal’s opening Youth League fixture against Athletic Club earlier this week.