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Liverpool under-21 head coach Barry Lewtas and U21s coach Jay Spearing(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool are facing a major overhaul of their Academy after the club confirmed the departure of Barry Lewtas as under-21s head coach.

Lewtas has chosen to leave after five years in charge of the U21s and 12 years 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.

With fellow long-time Academy coach Marc Bridge-Wilkinson having recently left his position as U18s boss, Liverpool must now look for replacements in two key positions at Kirkby.

“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.

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“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 ECHO understands Lewtas, who had previously worked at Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers, wants to further his coaching career by working at first-team level.

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Lewtas worked with a number of future first-team players during his time at the Academy and was most notably influential in the development of Curtis Jones, Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah, all of whom won a Premier League winners' medal this season.

Liverpool's title-winning team had more minutes played by homegrown Academy players than any other team in the league during the season.

Lewtas was in charge of the U18s when they won the Reds' fourth FA Youth Cup in 2019 by beating Manchester City on penalties - a team that included Neco Williams and Leighton Clarkson - and also led the U19s to the UEFA Youth League quarter-finals in 2023.

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Liverpool Academy director Alex Inglethorpe said: “Barry’s influence has been felt at so many age groups in the Academy and he leaves with our very best wishes.

“Player development is at the forefront of our role and many young players owe him a debt of gratitude for helping them towards first team football both here and of course elsewhere in the pyramid.

“I’d like to thank Barry for everything he has contributed to life at the Academy, both on and off the pitch, and I know everyone at the club will wish him well in his exciting journey to come.”


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