Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of Gary O’Neil as the new assistant head coach of the U23s. The former West Ham man joins Barry Lewtas, who took up the vacant position in place of the departed Neil Critchley, as Liverpool look to develop talents for the future.
The position arrives at his feet after spending just one season out of the game; he transitioned to a coaching role after retiring in 2019.
Gary O’Neil Appointed U23s Assistant
O’Neil ‘Really Excited’ to Get Going
Following the news of his arrival, O’Neil told the Liverpool website: “It’s been going on for a little while and obviously with the break and the Academy having to take an even longer break than the first team, I’ve had to wait a little while, but now it’s finally come around, and I’m really excited and can’t wait to get going.”
The newly appointed assistant then went onto sing the praises of Barry Lewtas, who made the step up from the U18s position: “Barry is great. He has got a wealth of experience of working with the boys. Obviously, he’s come through a lot of the age groups with the lads as well, so he knows them very well.
“That will be handy because there are two ways of looking at it: I’m getting to see them with a fresh set of eyes, which can be useful as well, but Barry offers a wealth of experience and obviously I’m new into coaching.
Already Acquainted With Michael Edwards
O’Neil won’t have trouble when it comes to introductions having already worked with sporting director Michael Edwards while at Portsmouth.
At the time, Edwards was an analyst, striving to improve players like O’Neil.
Now, to come full circle, Edwards is the sporting director of Liverpool with O’Neil appointed as the U23s assistant.
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