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CARDIFF, WALES - MARCH 26: A dejected Wales' Head Coach Rob Page applauds the fans at the final whistle.

during the UEFA EURO 2024 Play-Offs Final match between Wales and Poland at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26, 2024 in Cardiff, Wales.(Photo by Ian Cook - CameraSport via Getty Images)(Image: Ian Cook - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Liverpool have appointed former Wales manager Rob Page to take charge of their Under-21 side at the Kirkby Academy.

Page replaces the long-serving Barry Lewtas, who stepped down at the end of last season to pursue first-team opportunities after 12 years in the youth ranks.

Page guided Wales to their first World Cup in 64 years when they qualified for the 2022 tournament in Qatar, which came after they made the second round of the European Championship, which was held in the summer of 2021.

Liverpool were impressed with the 50-year-old's track record of blooding young players on to the international scene during his time in charge of Wales, with the likes of Lewis Koumas and Owen Beck part of the group who progressed to senior level alongside former Reds players Harry Wilson and Neco Williams.

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After a playing career that spanned nearly 20 years with the likes of Watford, Cardiff, Coventry, Huddersfield and Chesterfield, Page began his managerial journey in 2014 when he took charge of Port Vale.

The former international has also held positions with Northampton Town and Wales' U21s before moving to the senior ranks in 2020.

Academy director Alex Inglethorpe said: “Rob brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to a key role as young players look to bridge that gap from Academy prospect to first-team footballer.

“His recent achievements in guiding Wales to the last 16 at Euro 2020 before qualifying for the 2022 World Cup speak for themselves but perhaps less heralded is the work that took place during his time in charge of the national team, which saw numerous pathway players make it into the senior squad.

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“This is something we have seen first-hand at Liverpool with several of our Academy players making significant progress on the international stage under Rob’s guidance.

“This level of experience in transitioning young footballers towards the professional game and on to the highest levels of domestic and international football will be a significant resource for all at the Academy, especially the players.

“Myself and all the staff are greatly looking forward to working with Rob as we endeavour to continue producing players capable of playing at the highest level and in the most demanding of arenas.”

Lewtas's exit was confirmed earlier this month and he leaves after five years in charge of the U21s and a dozen at the Academy, during which he progressed from coaching the U12s up to the U18s before replacing Neil Critchley as U21s boss in May 2020.

“Sometimes you just know the time is right for a new adventure and I really feel the perfect time for me is now," said Lewtas

“Of course, I’m sad to be moving on but I also have 12 wonderful years to look back on, including the last five with the 21s.

“Seeing young players make that next step to the first team or moving on to success elsewhere is hugely satisfying.

“I want to give a massive thanks to all the staff I’ve worked with throughout the age groups, to all the players who have been part of those teams and also to their parents who are often forgotten about but play such a vital role in making sure their sons can reach their full potential."

The appointment of Page is the first of two expected additions to the club's youth coaching ranks this summer, with the Premier League champions also assessing the U18s manager position, which has been left vacant by Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's decision to leave.

Bridge-Wilkinson's end-of-season departure was confirmed in April, bringing an end to 10 years at the club where he moved from the Under-14s group through to the U18s, a group who he spent five years with.

Bridge-Wilkinson's end-of-season departure was confirmed in April, bringing an end to 10 years at the club where he moved from the Under-14s group through to the U18s, a group who he spent five years with.

He said: "It's hard to believe it's been 10 years since I joined LFC but now it is time to move on to a new challenge.

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"The Academy is a special place and it's been an absolute pleasure to be part of the team for the past decade.

"I'd like to thank Alex Inglethorpe and Nick Marshall for giving me the opportunity and placing faith in me to move up through the age groups.

"A massive thank you, too, to all the coaching staff and the support team – being a part of players' journeys at such an important stage of their development is a huge privilege and I'll continue to follow their careers closely."


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