This is sad, if not entirely unexpected.
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Heighway leaves Reds academy post
Steve Heighway will step down out as Liverpool's academy coach following the Reds' FA Youth Cup victory on Thursday.
Liverpool beat Manchester United on penalties in the final to seal their second successive triumph and Heighway said: "It's nice to go out like this."
Heighway, 60, has been in charge of Liverpool's youth set-up since 1989.
He brought through the likes of Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen but the club's academy has recently been criticised by boss Rafael Benitez.
Heighway also enjoyed a glittering playing career at Anfield between 1970 and 1981 and has not ruled out staying on at the club if an appropriate job can be found.
I have spent 29 years of my working life at Liverpool. If they have something of value they want me to do, that allows me the freedom to do some of the things I want to do, I would be more than happy to stick around
Steve Heighway
"I feel very emotional," he said. "It will be unbelievably difficult to go. I don't have to go but the time is right.
"I don't really have any plans for the future. Sometimes even boys need a new face. I have been around the staff here for 18 years now and maybe it is time they listened to someone else.
"It is up to the club to decide whether they would like me to stay in some capacity.
"We have new owners who may not want me around.
"But I have spent 29 years of my working life at Liverpool. If they have something of value they want me to do, that allows me the freedom to do some of the things I want to do, I would be more than happy to stick around."
Steve Heighway will step down out as Liverpool's academy coach following the Reds' FA Youth Cup victory on Thursday.
Liverpool beat Manchester United on penalties in the final to seal their second successive triumph and Heighway said: "It's nice to go out like this."
Heighway, 60, has been in charge of Liverpool's youth set-up since 1989.
He brought through the likes of Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen but the club's academy has recently been criticised by boss Rafael Benitez.
Heighway also enjoyed a glittering playing career at Anfield between 1970 and 1981 and has not ruled out staying on at the club if an appropriate job can be found.
I have spent 29 years of my working life at Liverpool. If they have something of value they want me to do, that allows me the freedom to do some of the things I want to do, I would be more than happy to stick around
Steve Heighway
"I feel very emotional," he said. "It will be unbelievably difficult to go. I don't have to go but the time is right.
"I don't really have any plans for the future. Sometimes even boys need a new face. I have been around the staff here for 18 years now and maybe it is time they listened to someone else.
"It is up to the club to decide whether they would like me to stay in some capacity.
"We have new owners who may not want me around.
"But I have spent 29 years of my working life at Liverpool. If they have something of value they want me to do, that allows me the freedom to do some of the things I want to do, I would be more than happy to stick around."
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