Nicky Butt appointed Manchester United’s Head of Academy

The 41-year-old, who has represented United for 12 years, will take the job that Brian McClair vacated last year. Butt graduated from the Manchester United youth academy and was a part of the class of '92 which produced legends such as Beckham, Giggs, Scholes and the Neville brothers.

Published : Feb 16, 2016 15:41 IST

Nicky Butt has worked as the reserve team and under-19s coach for the last four years.

Manchester United on Tuesday appointed its former midfielder Nicky Butt as its new head of academy.

The 41-year-old, who has represented United for 12 years, will take the job that Brian McClair vacated last year. He graduated from the Manchester United youth academy and was a part of the famous class of '92 which produced legends such as Beckham, Giggs, Scholes and the Neville brothers.

Butt's appointment comes after Paul McGuiness left his role as under-18s coach after 24 years in the role last week.

“I am delighted that Nicky has accepted the role of Head of Academy,” said the club’s Executive Vice-Chairman Ed Woodward.

“Nicky has the traditions and heritage of this Club in his blood and he is the natural choice to ensure that, in modernising the way the Academy operates and shaping the new investment we are making, it retains the values and the focus that it has always had,” he added.

Butt was as a product of United's youth system himself and has worked as the reserve team and under-19s coach for the last four years.

“It’s a privilege to take on this role,” said Butt in the club’s website.

"As someone who learned his trade in the United youth set-up, it’s a huge honour now to be given the chance to lead the Academy and to instill its values and attitudes to continue to create future generations of Manchester United players,” he said.

“It's a big challenge but I am fortunate to be taking over a dedicated, first-class team.

“Our aim remains the same - to keep supplying the first team with well-coached, rounded players that understand the responsibility of playing for the biggest club in the world,” added Butt.