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Arsenal Appoint New Youth Coach

Arsenal have named Dutch youth development expert Andries Jonker as the new head of their Academy. Currently working as the Assistant Manager at VFL Wolfsburg, the 51-year-old will join the Gunners at the end of the season.

Prior to his current role in the Bundesliga Jonker spent seven years developing and implementing youth coaching reforms for the Dutch FA and also spent two seasons working as a senior coach in the youth setup of the Dutch Federation which included managing Holland's U15 and U21 teams.

Jonkers' appointment follows Liam Brady's decision to retire from his role as Head of Youth Development and take up an ambassadorial role. The club legend will work with Jonker to ensure a smooth transition though.

First-team manager, Arsène Wenger said:

"I am very pleased that Andries is joining us. He has a big reputation in the game and was a key part of the team which developed the structures which are now producing such strong young players in Holland. I look forward to working with him. I would also like to thank Liam for his work which has been outstanding over many years."

Ivan Gazidis added:

"Youth development is a key part of our philosophy at Arsenal and I am delighted that Andries is joining us. He has an outstanding track record in developing and identifying young players and creating systems to bring the best out of them. I know he will build on the tremendous work which has been done by Liam and his team over many years."

Some are not convinced by the appointment due to Gazidis' front-seat role in the recruitment of Brady's replacement however Jonkers' track record and van Gaal rating him highly (which we are assured is a rarity from LvG) suggests there is little to worry about.

Our Dutch football correspondent, Willem Gonggrijp, had this to say about Jonkers:

"Jonker is highly rated in Holland where he has worked with the KNVB as a technical director and youth team mananger as well as an assistant under van Gaal at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Just last December van Gaal tried to make Jonker part of his Oranje staff. In Jonker, Arsenal have a man who's worked behind the scenes at the highest level and due to the versatility of his previous roles, he is bound to bring something extra to the Arsenal youth setup."

All at Goonersphere wish Andries the best of luck in his new role.

Wenger and Gazidis quotations from www.arsenal.com

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Tags: Youth, Arsenal Academy

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