Newcastle announce appointment of local lad and brother of Premier League legend – Official

Newcastle United have announced that Graeme Carrick has been appointed the club’s new Under-18s coach.

The 37-year-old is the brother of former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick and arrives 15 years after he worked for the club on a part-time basis.

Born in Wallsend, Graeme started his playing days at West Ham, only for a serious injury to end his career in 2005 – where he then spent a few years on Tyneside learning his trade in coaching.

Since then, he’s spent 15 years at the FA as a youth coach developer and built up an excellent reputation in the game, but will now take the U18 coaching role vacated by former Newcastle defender Peter Ramage.

Here’s what he told NUFC.co.uk since taking the job, revealing his delight at returning home:

Graeme Carrick

“I’m absolutely delighted. I worked part-time for the club 15 years ago and I always hoped I’d come back one day. 

“Being from the area, I understand the privilege and responsibility of the job and it’s such a special club so I can’t wait to start.

“I’ve had a brilliant time at the FA over the 15 years and I’m certainly appreciative of the opportunities and experiences gained but I think I’m ready for a fresh challenge. When the opportunity came up with Newcastle, it seemed like the perfect timing and the perfect next step for me.

“During my job at the FA, I’d been lucky enough to work with a lot of coaches and people within the club and I have seen the positive direction the Academy is heading which is something I want to be a part of. 

“I’m particularly looking forward to being out on the grass, working with players everyday and I’ll give absolutely everything in trying to help them realise their potential both as footballers but also, as importantly, young people.

“The short-term aim is making sure to improve the programme for the players and helping them to progress everyday and every week, individually and collectively.

“Longer term, it’s striving to deliver a high quality programme whilst contributing, along with the rest of staff, towards making the Academy better.” 

Steve Harper (Newcastle’s Academy Director) on Graeme Carrick’s appointment:

“We are delighted to welcome Graeme to the Academy as he joins us for this very important role. 

“A thorough recruitment process was undertaken and Graeme’s passion for individual player development, both on and off the pitch, came to the fore.

“Graeme has over 15 years of experience in coach development and is very keen to utilise this vast experience within a team environment and will be very well supported by new under-18s Assistant coach Chris Moore.

“In his interviews, Graeme emphasised the importance he places on all areas of support for the players within the multi-disciplinary team and his standing within the coaching profession shows this is a significant appointment for the Academy.”

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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