Sunderland AFC today announced several changes to the Club’s coaching set-up at the Academy of Light.
Following the departures of David Preece and Phil Jevons, Mike Dodds and Michael Proctor have joined the Club’s senior set-up on a permanent basis as First-Team Coaches after playing an important part in last season’s promotion-winning campaign.
In addition to their first-team duties, Dodds will oversee individual player development and the pathway from the Under-21s to the senior team, with Proctor coordinating the Club’s loan programme.
A First-Team Goalkeeping Coach will be appointed in due course, with Mark Prudhoe currently undertaking the role on an interim basis.
Following the progression of Dodds and Proctor, the process to appoint a Senior Professional Development Phase Coach and a Professional Development Coach to oversee the Club’s Under-23 set-up is underway.
Under-18 Cell Lead John Hewitson continues to be assisted by former SAFC Women Head Coach Carlton Fairweather, who returned to the Club’s Professional Development Phase last season.
Jordan Moore has been appointed Youth Development Phase Lead, overseeing the Club’s Under-12 to Under-16 programme, and he continues to lead the Under-15s and Under-16s as Cell Lead.
Several other changes have also been made within SAFC’s Youth Development and Foundation phases, with Finbarr Lynch moving into the role of Under-13 and Under-14 Cell Lead and Alex Ackerley joining the Academy on a full-time basis as Individual Development Coach.
Nathan Thomas will continue to oversee the Club’s Foundation Phase, including acting as Under-9 and Under-10 Cell Lead, with Jonjo Dickman now installed in the role of Under-11 and Under-12 Cell Lead.
Stuart English said: “We remain as determined as ever to establish an elite coaching and development programme at the Academy of Light. Fresh knowledge and ideas are important, but we also believe that investing in our existing staff is equally valuable as we look to combine first-class coaching and player development with a strong knowledge of Sunderland AFC and the region we represent.”
Alex Neil added: “Mike and Michael played an integral part in last season’s promotion-winning campaign and this is a deserved progression for them both. They stepped up during an immensely challenging period last season, combining their roles in the senior team with their duties for the Under-21s, and throughout my time at the Club, they have been first class. They will continue to play an important part in any success that we collectively enjoy, and I look forward to working with them closely to ensure we experience exactly that.”