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Staff Changes Roundup: 22 June-5th July

07 Jul, 2024
Staff Changes Roundup: 22 June-5th July

The last edition of our biweekly summer staff roundup (8th-21st June) was packed with high-profile managerial switches, from Brighton & Hove Albion's ambitious swoop for precocious tactician Fabian Hurzeler to Juventus' appointment of former Italy international Thiago Motta as head coach. But as the European Championship starts to reach its climax and pre-season draws closer, many clubs have already put in place the structures they need for the new campaign, and the number of major staff appointments being made has begun to decline slightly.

However, there have still been some big movements in the world of football over the last two weeks. From head coaches to backroom staff and executives, a number of interesting appointments have been made in some of Europe's biggest leagues. Below, we've rounded up the most important staff moves of the last two weeks.

Scott Parker, Burnley

After a disappointing spell in Belgium at Club Brugge, where he struggled to successfully implement his style of play in an unfamiliar league, Scott Parker is back managing in the Championship. It's a division he knows well; the former Fulham and Bournemouth boss has two Championship promotions under his belt already, and Burnley will be confident that he can replicate that success at Turf Moor, taking advantage of a strong squad and the added bonus of Premier League parachute payments, which will enhance Parker's ability to recruit talented players this summer.

"For us to be successful this year is the most important thing," the new Burnley boss told the press following his appointment. "We have to win and build a team the fans and club can be proud of. This team can represent every single one of them in that aspect and that's the aim… I can't wait to get on the training field and start work." Additionally, while it is yet to be confirmed, a tweet posted by experienced football analyst Jonathan Hill suggests that he may also be heading to Burnley to assist Parker (the pair have worked together at Fulham, Bournemouth and Club Brugge).

Jonas Schuermann, Marco Knoop and Max Lesser, Brighton & Hove Albion

Fabian Hurzeler's backroom team is starting to take shape, following the appointment of three new coaches with experience working at high-profile European clubs. Jonas Scheuermann will join the south coast club from Augsburg as assistant head coach, while Marco Knoop — who previously worked with Hurzeler at his former club St Pauli — will become goalkeeping coach.

Meanwhile, former Ajax and VfB Stuttgart chief analyst Max Lesser has been brought in to assist the coaching staff as a tactical analyst. All three appointments are subject to successful work permit applications; after those are granted, the trio will begin working with Hurzeler alongside men's first team coach Andrew Crofts and men's first team goalkeeping coach Jack Stern.

Andries Ulderink, Rangers

Joining Philippe Clement and his team as Assistant Manager at the Scottish Giants, is Andries Ulderink, former coach at Royal Antwerp, Ajax and FC Twente among others. Clement said after the signing:

"He is an experienced coach, with a lot of knowledge from his time working across Europe. We had some really positive conversations over the past few weeks, and I am really looking forward to working with him.

“It is important for me to have a strong group of coaches supporting me, and the addition of Andries will complement the team we already have in the building ahead of another huge season.”

 

Seyi Olofinjana, Chelsea

One of the most interesting staff appointments of the last fortnight sees former Premier League midfielder and Nigeria international Seyi Olofinjana move into a new talent management role at Chelsea. After retiring in 2014 following stints at Stoke, Hull and Wolves, he moved into coaching at the latter club, working with the Under 23s before spending time at Grasshoppers Zurich as Sporting Director.

The highly-rated coach and executive — who holds a UEFA pro license — will work alongside a newly-appointed scout covering recruitment recommendations across the continent, as Chelsea continue to reshape their backroom operations. Elsewhere at the west London side, Glenn van der Kraan is expected to join the Academy set up, while long-serving members of the backroom staff Neil Bath and Jim Fraser have exited the club.

Jelle ten Rouwelaar, Manchester United

The news that Erik ten Hag would be staying at Manchester United for the 2024/25 season was a surprise to many; however, the announcement of another backroom appointment shows that he's clearly being given plenty of freedom to improve the team around him this summer.

Rumours continue to circulate surrounding former Red Devils striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is reportedly in advanced talks to join the club as a coach. And one other move that has been confirmed is the arrival of Jelle ten Roulewaar, a goalkeeping coach who most recently worked at Ajax, and who has also previously been employed by Championship side Burnley under the new Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany. Ten Roulewaar is well regarded in coaching circles, and known for encouraging keepers to build possession from the back (a key area of concern for ten Hag and his Number 1 shot-stopper Andre Onana).

Adam Owen, Blackburn Rovers

It's been a busy summer behind the scenes at Blackburn Rovers, and their backroom operation has been further strengthened by the arrival of Adam Owen as Head of Technical Development. The 44-year-old former Wrexham player has a background as a specialist performance and technical director, with time spent at a range of clubs including Rangers, Celtic, and Sheffield United, as well as the Welsh national team.

His remit will be broad, including overseeing the Academy and various other departments, and supporting head coach John Eustace as the club embarks on a new Championship campaign after an underwhelming 19th-placed finish last year.

Erbil Bozkurt, Hull City

Hull City are putting the finishing touches to their brand new coaching line-up, with the addition of former QPR coach Erbil Bozkurt as the club's new goalkeeping coach. The 34-year-old will replace Barry Richardson, who left the team at the end of last season, and will join fellow assistants Filip Tapalovic, Julian Huber and Andy Dawson in assisting newly-appointed head coach Tim Walter.

Andy Lonergan, Wigan Athletic

Former Liverpool and Everton goalkeeper Andy Lonergan has stepped into the world of coaching for the first time, becoming Wigan Athletic's new first team goalkeeping coach in a new player-coach role that will also see him serve as a backup for Sam Tickle and Tom Watson. "I'm absolutely buzzing to be here," Lonergan told the club. "Shaun Maloney didn't need to convince me because of the things I heard about him as a manager and a person. Two top young goalkeepers are coming through, and to have that group as a starting group for myself personally is fantastic. I want them to kick on, and help them improve on a daily basis."

Chris Solly, Charlton Athletic

Charlton legend Chris Solly has rejoined the club he made over 300 appearances for as a player, embarking on a new stage of his career as a Professional Development Phase Coach. He'll be assisting Under 21s Lead Coach Chris Lock, working in an academy he himself went through over 20 years ago. "I always imagined that one day I would come back in a coaching capacity," Solly said about the move.

"From the day I left I still had that vision of hopefully coming back one day. Coming through the academy myself, and knowing how successful it is and the amount of good people that work within it, I'm looking forward to learning from everyone here."

Dan Green, Exeter City

League One side Exeter City have brought former coach Dan Green back into the fold as Individual Player Development Phase (PDP) Coach, after a year-long spell at recently-relegated Championship side Rotherham United. Previously, Green was Exeter's Under 18s coach, playing a crucial role in the development of highly-rated players like Archie Collins, Ethan Ampadu and Ollie Watkins, who recently appeared for England at Euro 2024. Green followed Watkins to Aston Villa in 2022, taking up a new role as Under 21s coach before joining Rotherham the next summer. This experience of Premier League and Championship football will no doubt be valuable as he takes up his new position in Devon.

Alex Lawless, Luton Town

Versatile former Luton Town player Alex Lawless, who made over 200 appearances for the club as a defender and midfielder between 2010 and 2016, will take up a new role at the club this summer, becoming their Under 21s coach while fellow ex-Luton man Joe Deeney steps in to assume Lawless' former post as U18s Lead Coach. According to Academy Manager Paul Benson, "Alex has a development mindset for the players and he can also drive the high standards and behaviours that we like the boys to have. We're delighted to have him leading our Under 21s group."