West Ham United hand Kevin Keen new behind-the-scenes role at Academy of Football
Former West Ham United winger Kevin Keen has left his role as U18s Lead Coach to become the Lead Professional Development Phase Coach.
The Hammers confirmed in an official statement on Friday (19 July) that the former first-team coach has left his role with the U18s academy side to oversee the development of players between the U17s and U21s.
This is part of a restructuring of the academy of football which has seen former Manchester United youth player Kalam Mooniaruck appointed to the role of Head of Coaching & Player Development.
On top of that, former first-team coach Mark Robson returns to his position as Academy Under-21s Lead Coach, having spent last season as a member of David Moyes’ first-team coaching staff.
West Ham United confirm new academy restructure at the London Stadium?
It is good for supporters to have some clarity about the current coaching situation at the London Stadium after there has been such an overhaul in the first team over the last couple of months.
Supporters always want to see young talents breaking into the first-team fold and while there are plenty of exciting players waiting in the wings, there is a lack of academy representation at this moment in time following the exits of Divin Mubama and Ben Johnson.
Hopefully, some of the bright talents like George Earthy will continue to progress over the course of next season.
He showed immense promise under Moyes last term and it would be good to see him continue to feature under Julen Lopetegui.
Keen knows a thing or two about what it means to be a success in claret and blue having made over 200 league appearances for the Hammers and managed the club as caretaker on three occasions, so his leadership should help the young prospects.
In other West Ham news, Southampton have made a new decision around Kyle Walker-Peters amid interest from the Hammers
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