Tottenham Academy Chief Leaves Club to Take Up Role With FA

​Tottenham Hotspur's head of academy coaching and player development John McDermott has left the club to take up a role with the English Football Association.


McDermott, who spent 15 years with Spurs, worked closely with former boss Mauricio Pochettino to discuss the club's transfer strategy, and he played a huge role in bringing the likes of Harry Kane, Harry Winks and Danny Rose through to the senior side.

Mauricio Pochettino,John McDermott

​Manchester United have previously tried to offer him a position at Old Trafford, but ​Spurs took to their ​official website to confirm that McDermott had agreed to become the FA's new assistant technical director.


“After 15 years and so many incredible experiences at Tottenham Hotspur, I’ve reached the difficult decision to take on a slightly different role and challenge at this period in my career," McDermott explained.

“I am extremely grateful to the Board who have entrusted and supported me and our Academy staff throughout my tenure.

“I leave with wonderful memories, and no doubt José [Mourinho] and the coaching staff will lead the first team in bringing the club even more success – assisted in the future, I’m sure, by many of our current academy players.”

Chairman Daniel Levy also expressed his gratitude towards McDermott, adding that it is important that Spurs continue to bring through academy graduates for years to come.

"It has been an absolute pleasure to work with John over such a long period of time," Levy said. "His contribution went beyond our academy, he has been an integral part of everything we have sought to deliver on the football side and we will all miss his enthusiasm, insight and wisdom that he brought to his role.

"His time at the club will not just be remembered for the calibre of player he has helped to develop for our first team, of which there were many, but also each and every young player he supported who harboured dreams of having a professional career in the game, no matter what level they were ultimately able to reach. 

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"The influence he has had on so many of our players should not be underestimated, particularly with the level of pastoral care he has always prided himself on providing.

"It is now vital that we take the necessary time and attention needed to identify the right expertise to move our academy forward, reflecting just how important a role like this is to our club. This process has already commenced and we shall provide an update in due course."


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Source : 90min