McNamee gone

Sunderland AFC’s long-serving academy manager Ged McNamee is to step down from his role.

McNamee will leave the club after heading up its youth development for almost 20 years.

Speaking about his decision, he said: “I have enjoyed 20 very memorable years at Sunderland and have had some incredible times, including seeing one of our own captain England recently. We are starting to see the fruits of many years of hard work from the academy staff, with a number of our home grown players, including Jordan Pickford, making first team debuts in recent months. The academy is in a good place and it feels like the right time for me to hand over the reins.

“I wish everyone at the academy and the club the very best and thank them for their fantastic support over the years, they are a great team of people”.

Sunderland AFC’s chief executive Martin Bain said: “We would like to thank Ged for his immense commitment and dedication to the club during his time with us. He has been a great servant to Sunderland AFC and he leaves us with our sincere good wishes for the future”.


No mention of who`s taking over. Bracewell maybe?

 

Interesting week to walk out of that job.

 

Rumour has it he was helped on his way.

Had quite a little clique apparently.

 

Isn't this the sort of job you would leave at the end of the season, strange decision if there is nothing lurking under the surface but I wish him well if he's just decided he's had enough.

 

Not to fussed, our youth system did little with him at the helm for so long. with the introduction of other coaches we've forged a very good academy. All the best to him though.

 

The ring of carefully worded statements. Suggests another whitewash .

 

There it is right there ^

Noticeable improvement.

 

So has he been one of the "rotten eggs" as PDC eluded to?

 

Could be I suppose. Been mentioned plenty but never a name.

 

That's what i heard. hipefully nothing more than that. It needs new energy , for sure.

 

What sort of Clique though? Are we talking about a division among staff or does it embroil players in it two. Neither is good like.

 

Certainly isn`t.

Rumours only Bri really. Playing favourites (his son, although useless) being one of them. That sort of thing. The thing is, nobody outside of the circle knows exactly whose ear he had. Not safe to guess really.

Anyway he`s off now and changes may be afoot. I wonder if our Mr Bain is listening and acting. Wouldn`t that make a refreshing change.

 

Keeping his son on a year following the end of his scholarship was a piss take like.

 

Apparently he was never much good to start with. It`s easy to see why something like that would niggle with the others. Bound to really.

No rumours about who`s taking over yet.

Another chap (Welsh??) also supposed to have gone. No idea who he is or what that`s about.

 

Will somebody take over or will somebody else, Bracewell for instance, be moved? Or have they already got a team who can do the job without replacing him. Cutting costs possibly.

 

Welsh used to be with Man city, took over from Stockdale with the U21s which are now the U23s. Not been in the job long at all.

Is Elliott Dickman still head of coaching?

 

Welsh taken another job I think. Not been hoyed out.

Dickman`s in charge of the u18`s. 0 wins 2 draws this season so he might well be next.

 

They can show that miserable looking scruff the door as well for me.

 

Has it got anything to do with the alleged rumour of Margy Byrne trying to lure our 15 year old wonderkid into her agency? Illegal if under 16 apparently.

 

Another little snippet is that Tom McNamee is now working for Byrne.

Apparently.