Portsmouth seeking applicants for academy manager role

The Blues are keen to appoint someone for the position on a full-time basis after head of education and player care Jon Slater step into the role on an interim basis last summer.

He replaced Mark Kelly – who is now player development manager, following structural changes in the youth set-up.

But now the Fratton Park club want to make a permanent appointment, with Pompey seeking applications from those interested by March 31.

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A job description and role summary has been drawn up and circulated, and among the qualifications required is a UEFA A Licence and FA Advanced Youth Award, along with previous experience of management within an elite sports environment.

According to the job advert, the person chosen will be responsible for the organisation, planning and delivery of all operational, administrative, and logistical support within the club’s academy.But, more importantly, the manager will be required to develop and implement the academy’s performance plan and the academy’s player recruitment strategy to ensure that players have the opportunity to play at senior level and where appropriate they progress into the first team.

Pompey have a rich history of youngsters progressing through the youth ranks into the senior team including, most recently, Conor Chaplin, Adam Webster, Jed Wallace, Jack Whatmough and Ben Close.

Meanwhile, this season alone has seen 11 youth players handed valuable senior experience in the Papa John’s Trophy, with the likes of Charlie Bell, Alfie Bridgman and Harvey Rew featuring and impressing.

In terms of recruitment, Eoin Teggart, Gerard Storey, Taylor Seymour and Petar Durin have all been brought in during recent years, with all but the later making at least one first-team appearance.

Pompey will be expecting a lot of interest in the role, with potential applicants having until the end of the month to get their CVs in.

For a full description of the job and it’s requirements, click here.