The England men’s development teams head coaches have been confirmed for the upcoming season.
Ian Foster has been appointed as the new head coach of the U18s, following more than two years as specialist coach with the U17s.
Foster will open his campaign with a trio of home internationals against Australia at Leicester Road FC (6 September), Brazil at Hednesford Town (8 September) and Korea Republic at Alfreton Town (10 September).
Paul Simpson, who won the U20 World Cup in 2017, will take charge of this year’s U19s, working towards qualification for next summer’s U19 EURO Finals, which will be staged in Northern Ireland.
And Keith Downing, who led the Young Lions to 2017 U19 EURO victory and was in charge of the U19s last season, will move up a year group to be U20s head coach. Their first match is a home international against the Netherlands at Shrewsbury Town on Thursday 5 September (7pm).
BUY TICKETS FOR U20s v NETHERLANDSAll three coaches will work to a three-year cycle, moving up through the age groups and working with a group of players over a longer period, enhancing individual and team development and focusing on qualifying and competing in major international tournaments.
This three-year cycle has also been implemented at U15-17 age groups.
Kevin Betsy will take charge of this term’s U17 group, after two years with the U16s. His group start the season with a trip to Poland to take part in the Syrenka Cup, while their qualification campaign for the 2020 U17 EURO begins next March, when England join at the Elite Round stage.
Justin Cochrane, who was last season’s U15 head coach, will move up a year to lead the U16s group and Lee Skyrme, who has worked as a specialist coach at the FA for three years, has been appointed U15 head coach.
All coaches will work to a three-year cycle, moving up through the age groups and working with a group of players over a longer period, enhancing individual and team development and focused on qualifying and competing in major international tournaments.
For the first time, this cycle will be introduced at the younger age groups.
FA head of development teams, Matt Crocker, said: “We’re very pleased to confirm all of these positions ahead of another important year for our teams and we’re looking forward to getting the season underway
“Enabling our head coaches and their wider staff to work with the same group over a three-year cycle really gives them the chance to get to know players, understand their strengths and developmental needs and properly embed how they want to play.
“It’s particularly pleasing to give new opportunities to internal coaches that have been working for us, with coach development being a key priority for us as an organisation. The departure of some great coaches has given us the chance to move some things around but the fact that they’ve gone on to such calibre of roles is testament to the work being done here at St. George’s Park.”
Tickets for England U20 v Netherlands U20 are on sale now and can be bought by calling 01743 273 943 or in person at the club ticket office.
BUY TICKETS FOR U20s v NETHERLANDSTickets for England U18s' internationals are priced £5 for adults and £1 for concessions and are available to buy on the day at the stadiums’ turnstiles.
