Simon Rusk appointed U21s Head Coach
Southampton Football Club is pleased to announce that Simon Rusk has been appointed as Under-21s Head Coach.
Following the departure of Adam Asghar at the end of the 2023/24 season, Rusk arrives as the new face to lead the U21s age group ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League 2 campaign.
His playing career began in the Peterborough United youth ranks and included seven years at Boston United, where he won promotion to the Football League, as well as spells with then-Conference Premier sides York City and Crawley Town, before retiring in 2011.
Rusk immediately stepped into the role of Head of Youth at Crawley, before kickstarting his coaching career at Brighton & Hove Albion's Academy as their Under-18s Professional Development Coach in 2012.
He spent nine years at Brighton, progressing through various roles with the Under-21s and Under-23s, as well as supporting manager Chris Hughton as a First Team Coach in 2016.
Further experience in senior football followed his time at the Seagulls' academy, when Rusk headed north to manage then-National League side Stockport County before joining Dundee as Assistant Manager.
In 2022, he was appointed as England U19s manager, as he led an international youth side for the first time; during his tenure at England, he also stepped up to the senior team during the Qatar World Cup as Opposition Analysis.
Rusk has spent the last two years with England's U19s.
Now returning to academy management at club level, Rusk said: "I'm delighted to join Southampton, it's an exciting step to come to a club with such an established reputation for developing top talent.
"I'm looking forward to getting started with the group here, having spoken with Andy our visions are shared in wanting to push the Academy forward again both on and off the pitch."
On the newest coaching arrival, Academy Director Andy Goldie commented: “The appointment of Simon highlights the importance placed of the final stage of the Academy journey for our most exciting young talent.
"After reviewing our performance as an Academy last season, there was a clear profile we required for this role and it was evident that Simon possessed the qualities and experience to help deliver on our objectives.
"His track record in developing young talent at club and International level speaks for itself, but he will also act as a great mentor for our younger coaches and play a key role in driving the Academy forward next season.”
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