Liverpool Football Club has made a significant strategic appointment, securing the highly-regarded coach Simon Wiles as their new Under-18s head coach. This move represents a notable coup for the Reds, as Wiles was successfully lured away from fierce rivals Manchester United, marking a clear intent to bolster their youth development setup.

The search for a replacement for the long-serving Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, who transitioned to Huddersfield Town’s first-team coaching staff, concluded with Wiles’ arrival. He commenced his duties at the esteemed Kirkby Academy on Friday, integrating immediately into the crucial youth development structure.

Wiles is set to collaborate closely with the recently appointed Under-21s head coach, Rob Page. This partnership is designed to forge a vital conduit, ensuring a seamless transition and continuous progression for young talents from the academy ranks into senior first-team football, a cornerstone of Liverpool’s long-term strategy.

Further strengthening the coaching team, Wiles will receive support from assistant Anthony Ryan, who has already overseen the Under-18s during their pre-season preparations. Ryan’s promotion from his previous role with the Under-15s underscores the club’s commitment to nurturing talent not only on the pitch but also within its coaching staff.

Simon Wiles arrives with an impressive pedigree as a young coach, celebrated for his versatile skill set spanning various youth age groups, as well as extensive experience in both development and senior football environments. His comprehensive understanding of player progression is highly valued within the professional football landscape.

Prior to joining Liverpool, Wiles had a brief but impactful stint at Manchester United, where he served as the Lead Academy coach for their Under-14 side since last September. This period added crucial Category One academy experience to his profile, following his departure from League Two side Salford City, where he was a first-team coach.

His earlier career highlights include a four-year tenure as Under-18s manager at Fleetwood Town, where he also stepped in as interim first-team manager following Joey Barton’s departure. Wiles also contributed his expertise as an academy coach at Blackpool and held roles as both first-team coach and assistant manager at non-league club Bamber Bridge.

Academy director Alex Inglethorpe expressed immense satisfaction with Wiles’ appointment, praising him as a “highly regarded young coach.” Inglethorpe emphasized Wiles’ experience across different age groups and senior football, noting his recent work at Manchester United’s Category One academy made him an “outstanding candidate” to lead the U18s.

Inglethorpe highlighted the Under-18s phase as a “crucial phase in development for young players towards a professional career.” He conveyed the Academy’s collective enthusiasm for working with Simon Wiles, aiming to further develop players capable of bridging the gap to elite first-team football, thereby securing the club’s future success.