It's official. "Bould steps up from Arsenal's academy, where he has worked since 2001. He impressed Wenger by leading the club's youngsters to the FA Youth Cup in 2009 and to the Premier Academy League title in 2008 and 2009. In the reshuffle reserve-team coach Neil Banfield will be promoted to join Wenger and Bould in coaching the first team." That means 2 CB's on the first-team coaching staff - could this lead to an improvement in the defensive performance next season? I'm hoping so! Thoughts? ===== A bit of info... Steve Bould: Central Defender as a player, Bould helped Arsenal win the League Championship in 1988/89 and 1990/91, then the FA Cup and League Cup in 1993 and ECWC in 1994. England international central defender Steve Bould was an experienced figure in Arsenal's 1997/98 'double' success. Neil Banfield: Also a central defender, after retiring from a not-so-illustrious playing career he entered coaching, and joined Arsenal in 1997. Until 2004, he coached and managed various youth teams at Arsenal, winning two FA Youth Cups, an FA Premier Academy League U17 title in 1999-00 and an Academy League U19 title in 2003-04
I confirmed a number two this morning. Being defensively aware, he may help Wenger a lot in that department.
I hope he improves the team, but it's not guaranteed that will drastically improve at the back. Have a look at Jamie Sanderson's (Young Guns Blog) Timeline on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/YoungGunsBlog
Is he good at putting cones out too? He was an excellent player, i wonder if he'll be an excellent punchbag for wenger.
Great decision! Some of the football the u18s play is breath taking.....although they are still dicy defensively ....I'm beginning to think its part of the arsenal tradition
Good promotion in my opinion. Bould and Banfield know the club inside out and Bould has 11 years experience managing the youth set up. I think both will be a really welcome addition to Wenger's team and personally I'm really looking forward to Bould barking out instructions from the touchline next season. Tony Adams was reportedly turned down for assistant a few days ago and whilst he was a great leader on the pitch, his management record is abysmal. As much as I'd love to see Tony back at the club, I think Arsenal have made the right decision in promoting Bould at this time. He's already proven that he's got what it takes. Adams would have been a huge gamble. Can't leave this thread without mentioning Pat Rice - a loyal servant to Arsenal over many years, both as a players and coach. I got the nod that Pat was definitley retiring after a conversation with the lads at Piebury (one of them has a bit of insider knowledge) and Bould was top of the list from day one. It will be interesting to see what changes next season with Bould and Banfield in the first team set up.
I went to school with Steve he was always a top lad back then. Wouldn't mind him back home to be honest! please log in to view this image
Interesting that Wenger has promoted from within - again. Does this mean one of them is likely to succeed Wenger when he goes? Any ideas who will come in to coach the youngsters & reserves?
