One issue at Newcastle United over the past few seasons has been the retention of staff.
Not only have we seen several sporting directors come and go and a CEO change over the summer, the lack of stability at Under-21 level has also become a real concern.
After a shock announcement on Sunday morning, Newcastle are now searching for their fifth permanent Under-21 coach (seventh overall including temporary coaches) since the takeover.
That’s because the recently appointed Adam Lawrence has stepped down from his role as Under-21 Lead Coach, despite only joining the club from Manchester United in September last year.
This comes after Diarmuid O’Carroll left for Sparta Prague in June last year, with Jack Ross, Ben Dawson and Elliot Dickman all coming and going in that same role, and Robbie Stockdale now left to step in once again.
A club statement from Newcastle United reads:
Adam Lawrence has chosen to step down from his role as Lead Coach of Newcastle United Under-21s.
Lawrence took charge of the Magpies’ under-21 side in September 2025, joining the Magpies’ Academy from Manchester United, where he was Lead Coach for the club’s under-18s side.
Newcastle United Academy Director, Steve Harper, said: “I’d like to thank Adam for his time with us leading the Under-21 group. We wish him the best of luck as he pursues the next step in his coaching career.”
Robbie Stockdale will take interim charge of United’s under-21s while the process of recruiting a new lead coach takes place.
We don’t know the circumstances behind Lawrence’s exit, but the Academy has been sorely lacking the stability our youngsters need to develop.
Given the significant investment in youth players and the poor results of the team, perhaps competence would be as important as stability.
PremAndUp(Quote)
This happens at all clubs youth coaches move on for various reasons like, more money, closer to where they are from, promotion to first team coaching or manager.
It’s not as big a problem as you making out, the vast majority we employed after The takeover came from other clubs it a natural progression.
The CEO problem isn’t really a problem as he left due to him having cancer, the DOF was a case of hiring a rat that jumped ship and another who clashed with the manager from the off so no big deal again and hardly the club’s fault.
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
Spot on. There’s always churn in youth roles, unless you’re very lucky. Eales cancer was obviously impossible to foresee
Mitchell was possibly the one mistake, based on ‘fit’…from what we know anyway
We are 6th in the league in Jan (3 points off 4th), in the league cup semi’s, almost certainly the CL knock out rounds in our 2nd season in it for decades and in the next round of the FA cup. On a 4 game winning run. It’s been worse. The club def don’t get everything right, but honestly some folks are twisting more than when the FCB was here
East Stand(Quote)
This happens at every club though there does appear more change than usual .. if there is a problem the path leads to
Howe and it is often a matter of power relationships( Paul Mitchell) that cause staff to jump ship.. there is much that goes on behind the scenes at big clubs .. we only get the narratives
Mike(Quote)