SAINTS have confirmed the appointment of "great mentor" Simon Rusk as the club's under-21s head coach.
Following the departure of Adam Asghar at the end of the 2023/24 season, Rusk arrives ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League 2 campaign.
In 2022, Rusk was appointed as England under-19s manager, as he led an international youth side for the first time.
His playing career began in the Peterborough United youth ranks and included seven years at Boston United.
He won promotion to the Football League and had spells with Conference Premier sides York City and Crawley Town, before retiring in 2011.
Rusk immediately stepped into the role of head of youth at Crawley, before kickstarting his coaching career at Brighton & Hove Albion's academy.
He spent nine years at Brighton, progressing through various roles with the under-21s and under-23s.
Rusk also went on to support manager Chris Hughton as an assistant coach in 2016 before managing National League Stockport County.
During his tenure at England, he also stepped up to the senior team during the Qatar World Cup as an opposition analyst.
On joining Saints, Rusk said: "I'm delighted to join Southampton, it's an exciting step to come to a club with such an established reputation for developing top talent.
"I'm looking forward to getting started with the group here, having spoken with Andy our visions are shared in wanting to push the academy forward again both on and off the pitch."
Rusk most recently worked with Premier League survivors Nottingham Forest as a set-piece coach, having been appointed in December 2023.
The 42 year old has also held a role as assistant manager at Dundee this decade, displaying a wide variety of experiences in coaching.
Academy director, Andy Goldie added: “The appointment of Simon highlights the importance placed on the final stage of the academy journey for our most exciting young talent.
"After reviewing our performance as an academy last season, there was a clear profile we required for this role and it was evident that Simon possessed the qualities and experience to help deliver on our objectives.
"His track record in developing young talent at club and international level speaks for itself, but he will also act as a great mentor for our younger coaches and play a key role in driving the academy forward next season.”
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