The Academy Revolution Mark 1.5

Although they are certainly not as significant as the changes implemented under Rafa Benitez in 2009, the changes announced by Liverpool today at the Academy are still very interesting.

U18s Coach Rodolfo Borrell takes over from John McMahon as permanent Reserve team manager, while Frank McParland now not only controls the academy, but also all areas below the first team level in his new role as Director of Academy and Player Development. Pep Segura steps down as temporary reserve team coach and returns to the role of technical director with a new contract while Mike Marsh becomes U18s coach, and Steve Cooper becomes U16 Coach and Academy Manager. In addition national scout Stuart Webber has now been given the title of Director of Recruitment, most probably tasked with the responsibility of finding the brightest young talent across the country.

Although some of these just seem like fancy new job titles, it is pretty obvious there is an overriding purpose behind this new reorganisation below first team level; the attempt to foster an overriding, unifying footballing philosophy.

Despite the excellent job that Rafa Benitez and Frank McParland did in 2009 in transforming the fortunes of Kirkby, there was still one element which stuck out like a soar thumb which didn’t really tally with the rest of the setup under the first team. The Reserves was a place which was neither attached to Kirkby or totally in the remit of the first team manager at Melwood, and over the past decade, it has been solace for a number of players who could be only described as deadwood: players too old to play Academy football but not good enough for the first team squad.