Manchester United have appointed Nicky Butt as the new head of academy following the departure of Paul McGuinness last week.
There were speculations of Butt taking over at the academy, and it was confirmed earlier today by Ed Woodward.
Addressing the media, Woodward said: “I am delighted that Nicky has accepted the role of Head of Academy.
“Nicky has the traditions and heritage of this Club in his blood and he is the natural choice to ensure that, in modernising the way the Academy operates and shaping the new investment we are making, it retains the values and the focus that it has always had.”
Butt was part of Man United’s Class of 92
Butt, 41 is a former graduate of Man United academy is part of the famous Class of 92 group, who set the standards for academy players coming through to the first team.
It is no secret how Man United are losing the battle of attracting top talents in Manchester to their great rivals City. With Butt’s appointment, United hope to turn the tides in their favor in near future.
The sole goal for United’s academy is produce young players through their system who are fully capable of playing in the first team.
Butt has been involved with junior sides at Old Trafford, thus he is already aware of all the capable young players, who can take that step up to the senior side.
With Butt in charge of academy developments, United will have a former Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup winner to look after player’s development at Old Trafford. Butt went on to play 341 games for United between 1992-2004.
With his energy, passion and knowledge of the club, Manchester United youth players are certainly in right hands.
Butt was honored to have been offered the role, and he said: “It’s a privilege to take on this role. As someone who learned his trade in the United youth set-up, it’s a huge honour now to be given the chance to lead the Academy and to instil its values and attitudes to continue to create future generations of Manchester United players.”
Nicky Butt’s good friend Ryan Giggs is already working as the assistant to Louis Van Gaal. As the time goes by, we can expect better sync between the first team and academy players, giving United a better crop of young players in coming seasons.
Image credit: getty, Quotes credit: Manutd.com