Andries Jonker appointed Academy manager

Arsenal have appointed Dutch youth development expert Andries Jonker as the new head of the Club’s Academy.

Jonker, 51, is currently the Assistant Manager at Bundesliga team VFL Wolfsburg and will join Arsenal on July 1, 2014. He previously spent seven years developing and implementing youth coaching reforms for the KNVB (Dutch FA), in Haarlem and Amsterdam, and two seasons working as a senior coach in the youth setup of the Dutch Federation. This included managing the U15 and U21 national teams.

Jonker also served as Technical Manager for the KNVB for six months before becoming Assistant Coach to Louis van Gaal at FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munich where he later had a spell as interim Head Coach. He was appointed Assistant Manager at VFL Wolfsburg in 2012.

Jonker’s appointment follows Liam Brady’s decision to leave his role as Head of Youth Development and the Academy. Brady, 57, will work with Jonker to ensure a smooth transition and continue his association with Arsenal as a Club Ambassador. Brady is already an Ambassador for the Arsenal Foundation.

Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis said: “Youth development is a key part of our philosophy at Arsenal and I am delighted that Andries is joining us. He has an outstanding track record in developing and identifying young players and creating systems to bring the best out of them. I know he will build on the tremendous work which has been done by Liam and his team over many years.”

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger added: “I am very pleased that Andries is joining us. He has a big reputation in the game and was a key part of the team which developed the structures which are now producing such strong young players in Holland. I look forward to working with him. I would also like to thank Liam for his work which has been outstanding over many years.”