Liverpool are reportedly closing in on Manchester United academy coach Simon Wiles, who is set to become their new Under-18s head coach.
Wiles’ coaching rise
Wiles only joined United as lead academy coach of the Under-14s group last September.
He parted ways with Salford City to seal the move to United. At Salford, Wilves served as first-team coach. He also had a spell as caretaker manager of the League Two side following the sacking of Neil Wood in December 2023.
Before joining Salford, Wiles spent four years at Fleetwood Town as the Under-18s manager and also stepped up as interim first-team manager after Joey Barton’s dismissal in January 2021.
Wiles has also worked as an academy coach at his former club Blackpool and served as both first-team coach and assistant manager at non-league side Bamber Bridge.
As a player, Wiles turned out for Blackpool, Macclesfield Town, Dunfermline Athletic, Barrow, and Salford, but his career was ultimately cut short by injuries.
Wiles poised to seal Liverpool switch
The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell and James Pearce reveal, “Liverpool are in advanced talks to appoint highly-rated Manchester United academy coach Simon Wiles as their new under-18s head coach.”
“The former Blackpool midfielder is set to replace Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, who left Liverpool after 10 years of service at the end of last season.”
“Wiles becomes the latest United academy coach to progress and leave for a raised position, after Justin Cochrane, Paul McShane, Tom Huddlestone, Neil Wood, Neil Ryan, and Neil Gittins among others.”
Whitwell and Pearce note that Wiles will work alongside Liverpool academy coach Anthony Ryan, who has been promoted from the Under-15s to become an assistant coach with the Under-18s.
Ryan is currently overseeing Liverpool’s team affairs and took charge of last week’s friendly against Welsh club Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Meanwhile, United are back in action this weekend when they take on Leeds in a pre-season clash at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
