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Manchester United academy coach Simon Wiles(Image: Simon Wiles, LinkedIn)

Liverpool have appointed Simon Wiles as their new Under-18s head coach after luring the highly-prized coach away from Manchester United.

The Reds have been on the lookout for a replacement for the long-serving Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, who stepped down from his post at the end of last season and has since joined the first-team coaching staff at Huddersfield Town.

Wiles started work at the Academy on Friday and will work closely with newly-appointed Under-21s head coach, Rob Page, with the pair helping to form a key bridge from academy to first team football.

He will also be supported by assistant, Anthony Ryan, who has taken charge for the Under-18s in pre-season to date after being promoted from his role with the Under-15s.

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Meanwhile, Scott Mason will focus on individual player development.

Wiles is a highly-regarded young coach, boasting a skill set across youth age groups and across development and senior football.

He only joined Man United as Lead Academy coach of their Under-14 side last September, adding category one academy experience in the process after leaving his first-team coach with League Two Salford City to make the switch to Old Trafford.

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He had previously also briefly served as caretaker manager at Salford following the sacking of Neil Wood in December 2023.

Prior to joining Salford, the former Blackpool midfielder spent four years with Fleetwood Town as Under-18s manager.

He also enjoyed a stint as first-team interim manager following the sacking of Joey Barton in January 2021.

Wiles has also spent time as an academy coach at former club, Blackpool, and both first-team coach and assistant manager at non-league side Bamber Bridge.

As well as starting his senior playing career with Blackpool, he also spent time with Macclesfield Town, Dunfermline Athletic, Barrow and Salford before his career was cut short by injury.

Following Wiles’ appointment, Liverpool academy director Alex Inglethorpe told the club: "Simon is a highly regarded young coach and I'm delighted he's agreed to take a key role within the Academy as lead for the U18s group.

"It is a crucial phase in development for young players towards a professional career and I believe Simon's experience made him an outstanding candidate for the role.

"He has worked across the age groups at Fleetwood and Blackpool, with plenty of experience of senior football at Salford as well – most recently working in a Category One academy at Manchester United.

"That skillset is ideal for us as we look to allow our players to reach their full potential and hopefully transition towards the upper levels of the game.

"Simon will work closely with our new U21s head coach Rob Page, while Anthony Ryan will continue as his assistant coach following his recent move from the U15s.

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"All of us at the Academy are excited about working with Simon and look forward to helping him develop players capable of bridging the gap to elite first-team football."


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