Southampton appoint new academy manager and under-21s assistant

Fearnhead, 37, has been academy manager at Accrington Stanley since 2021 and will now assist academy director Andy Goldie at Staplewood having stepped away from the League Two club.

In a statement, he wrote: "I will be stepping down from my role as academy manager at Accrington Stanley to take up a new position elsewhere.

"This decision has not been made lightly, as my time here has been incredibly fulfilling, and I am proud of what we have achieved within the academy over the years."

Can confirm that Saints have appointed Accrington Stanley’s Duncan Fearnhead as their new academy manager - assisting director Andy Goldie.

Have also completed the appointment of under-21s assistant manager Matthew Etherington - recently head of Colchester United.#SaintsFC

— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) September 23, 2024

Fearnhead steps into the role previously held by Tash Patel, who departed to become director of sporting analytics at the US Soccer Federation.

Matthew Etherington has been appointed Saints under-21s assistant (Image: PA) He will oversee all off-field operations, replacing Patel in a slightly different structure. Tom Sturdy has been promoted from within the club to head of academy performance.

Southampton have also appointed retired winger Matthew Etherington as under-21s assistant to assist Simon Rusk.

The 43 year old has experience as a senior manager at Crawley Town and Colchester United and starts his role next week.