When Heighway left
the Academy in May after 18 years in charge, many expected the club to appoint a direct replacement for the man who helped bring the likes of Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard through the ranks at Liverpool.However, Parry insists Heighway's role had become too big for just one person and that is why former Ajax player Piet Hamberg was yesterday unveiled as the club's new Academy Technical Manager with Under-18 coach John Owens promoted to Academy Manager.
The pair will work alongside Malcolm Elias, who joined Liverpool from Southampton last summer, and is in charge of recruitment.
"Steve Heighway's departure gave us a chance to assess things and it was felt the role in charge of the Academy had become too big for one person so it made sense to separate the two sides of the role," claims Parry. "We wanted to bring someone in to concentrate solely on the technical side of things, on being out on the pitch coaching, while also having someone in charge of the managing of the Academy.
"Steve Heighway’s great strength was coaching and yet a lot of time in the role would be spent in the office. John Owens has been with us a long time and understands the Academy system and Liverpool while Piet will be able to concentrate on doing what he does best, which is coaching the young players.
“He may not be a household name to many fans but he has a good track record and reputation within the world of football. Although he played at Ajax, he has developed his own ideas and won’t just be bringing the Ajax methods to Liverpool. It is a very exciting time. We have always been committed to the Academy system and the success of the team in the FA Youth Cup in the past two seasons has given everyone a lift.
"But when Steve Heighway announced he was going it marked the end of one era but these appointments signal how serious we are about the future of the Academy.
"People should not assume that because we have a foreign coach we will suddenly be bringing in a raft of Dutch or German players, for example."
( To late, i have already assumed this )Hamberg has already met with manager Rafael Benitez to discuss their shared vision for the future of youth development at the club and Parry revealed the pair will work well together. "Their views are very similar and they are looking forward to working together."
So thats the academy sorted out, Steve Heighway could of stayed on though i don't see the reason in getting rid of him ?
Danny Guthrie would get great expereince there no matter what