Liverpool's Diggle appointed Academy Manager at Leeds United — Training Ground Guru 22/2/24
LIVERPOOL’S Martin Diggle has been appointed as the new Academy Manager at Leeds United.
Diggle has worked for Liverpool for almost five years as
their Head of Coach Development, supporting coaches across their Academy.
Before joining the Reds in July 2019, he had worked for the Football
Association for nine years, latterly as their Head of Professional Game Coach
Development.
This involved delivering professional game qualifications
and CPD, as well as managing more than 30 technical staff and working with
UEFA, the PFA, Premier League, EFL and LMA on coach development. Diggle, who is
a UEFA A and Advanced Youth Award coach and tutor, has also coached at Oldham
Athletic and Bolton Wanderers.
At Leeds he will take on the role previously held by Adam
Underwood, who was promoted to Head of Football Operations in July 2023.
Underwood was Academy Manager from 2009 and was at the helm when Leeds were
promoted to Category One Academy status in 2020.
The move was part of a restructure following the takeover of
the club by 49ers Enterprises. This also saw Gretar Steinsson arrive from
Tottenham as Technical Director.
Leeds Academy staff were this week informed of Diggle's
appointment and he is due to start work at the club in the middle of next
month. Leeds placed eighth in our Academy Productivity Rankings for 2021/22.
