Long-serving coach Bryson leaves Cats’ youth set-up
Sunderland have confirmed the departure of U18 boss Paul Bryson.
As revealed by The Echo this week, Bryson is set to move to the i2i International Soccer Academy, which has bases at Northumbria University and also in York.
Bryson was formerly lead phase coach for the U12s to U16s at Sunderland, before being promoted into the U18 role in 2018.
His departure will bring to an end a 15-year association with the club.
Bryson played a key part in the rise of a number of successful academy products, including Jordan Henderson and Martyn Waghorn.
Head of Coaching Lewis Dickman paid tribute to Bryson’s work during his time at the club.
Dickman said: “Paul has been an integral cog in the academy wheel for so long and the decision he has taken to move onto a new coaching adventure is greatly respected.
“His work ethic and dedication to the pieces in a player’s jigsaw has always been valued from everyone within the academy, and the hard yards and sacrifices he has made along the way are genuinely appreciated by me, and more importantly the club.
“I’m sure every player and member of staff will join me in thanking Paul for everything he has contributed over the years in order to help make the academy as successful as it has been. We all wish him the best of luck in his new adventure.”
Sunderland are also looking to replace former academy director Paul Reid, who left the club earlier this summer. Interviews are understood to have taken place but no appointment made.