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Confirmed: Ed Woodward announces Man Utd’s newest appointment
MANCHESTER UNITED have appointed Nicky Butt as their new Head of Academy.
Ed Woodward id delighted with Nicky Butt's appointment as Man Utd's Head of Academy
The former Red Devils defender made 367 competitive appearances for the club during a 12-year spell under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Butt, who holds his UEFA Pro coaching licence, has been involved in numerous roles at the club since 2012.
Speaking on his appointment Butt said: “It’s a privilege to take on this role.
“As someone who learned his trade in the United youth set-up, it’s a huge honour now to be given the chance to lead the Academy and to instil its values and attitudes to continue to create future generations of Manchester United players.
“It’s a big challenge but I am fortunate to be taking over a dedicated, first-class team. Our aim remains the same – to keep supplying the first team with well-coached, rounded players that understand the responsibility of playing for the biggest club in the world.”
Butt’s main task will be to nurture the talent coming through United’s youth ranks as the Manchester outfit look to rival City’s recent developments with their youth setup across town.
And executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward believes Butt is the perfect man for the job.
“I am delighted that Nicky has accepted the role of Head of Academy,” he told the club’s website.
Former #mufc midfielder Nicky Butt has been appointed as the club's Head of Academy: https://t.co/KgVCs927Ch pic.twitter.com/2PhZ9dnWKE
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 16, 2016
“Nicky has the traditions and heritage of this Club in his blood and he is the natural choice to ensure that, in modernising the way the Academy operates and shaping the new investment we are making, it retains the values and the focus that it has always had.
"Manchester United’s Academy is completely focused on producing young players for our first team.
“As a graduate of its finest team in the modern era, Nicky will bring passion, energy and experience to drive the Academy forward, retaining the characteristics that give us a competitive advantage – namely an unmatched track record of player development together with the runway of first-team action.
“In the last four years, some 15 Academy graduates have played for the first team, playing a total of 173 appearances – a record of which the Club is very proud.”