Ex-Saint Longwell is off to the Big Apple
Former coach lands NYC academy deal
The former head of St Mirren’s academy has been appointed as the new youth supremo for MLS giants the New York Red Bulls.
David Longwell will head up the American side’s youth development programme after a successful spell in a similar role at Orlando City.
The Renfrew native enjoyed a 15-year spell with St Mirren and worked with some of several academy players who graduated to the senior team that won the Scottish League Cup in 2013.
Longwell started out as a community coach for St Mirren, climbing the ladder to head of youth development before leaving the club for the sunny beaches of Florida in 2016.
Now he has been head- hunted by the Red Bulls who hope he can use his expertise to develop their young players.
Longwell said: “I’m absolutely delighted to join the New York Red Bulls as it has such a great reputation in MLS and beyond.
“It is a fantastic opportunity and I’m looking forward to working hard to support our academy and will look to produce players for our MLS team in years to come.
“I was so impressed with all the staff when I visited the club, I knew it was the right place for me.
“It’s great to be joining a club with such a good structure and organisation.”
The New York Red Bulls expressed their delight at securing his services as they welcomed him to the club.
“We are very excited to add David to our staff,” said Red Bulls sporting director Denis Hamlett.
He added: “We are extremely proud of our youth development platform, and consider player development one of the keys to our success both now and for the future.
“David’s experience in building youth platforms, both with St Mirren and here in the States, makes him an excellent fit to lead our efforts in finding and developing the best talents in our area.”
Longwell will oversee all aspects of coaching and operations for the Red Bulls academy teams, from under-12 preacademy teams through to under-18, as well as the under-23 team that competes in the Premier Development League every summer.
He will also serve as a bridge between the first team and the academy to ensure that a consistent style of play is taught at all levels.
Longwell began his coaching education with the Scottish Football Association coaching programme, and currently holds his UEFA Pro Licence, UEFA A Licence, Advanced Children’s Licence and Youth Licence, and has completed the US Soccer Academy Director Course.
He is a recipient of the Scottish FA Youth Director’s Award, earned the Club Academy Scotland’s Gold Level Award for three consecutive years, and has also worked as a coach educator.
The New York Red Bulls academy system ranks among the best in the nation.
New York has graduated 19 players to the first team, including nine academy graduates on the current MLS roster, and several more to New York Red Bulls II.
Former academy players have gone on to play at top clubs such as Manchester United ( Matthew Olosunde), Chelsea FC (Matt Miazga), and Tijuana (Amando Moreno).