Heighway leaves Reds academy post

[enema of the state]

It was in the Pink Echo over the weekend that Elias will NOT take Heighway's position and its more likely to be Alex Miller.

NOT in title - because he already holds a post at lfc - and NOT in terms of day to day running of the academy side

but elias IS the head man when it comes to developing youth talent into 1st team players

thats what heighway was supposed to be

thats what heighway has been a failure at

[Lecter]

I think he had a slight dig at the amount of youth teams who actually get their chance yesterday in the post match interview saying that his captain was good enough for the first team. I would think he is still some way off, they were playing against boys last night, not men.
Will be sad to see him leave, especially as he has such close ties with the club and has achieved alot as a player with us in the past.
however, if there are not many getting their chances, we have to allow Rafa to set is up so there more who do get their chances. Id hate to see the team unity in the youths disappear though. Id like to see it as mostly local lads at youth level who grow up together, much like last night.

One thing that was mentioned last night on the radio was that Heighway has always resisted bringing in kids from outside the Liverpool area to supplement / improve the Academy

When Benitez arrived he put pressure on the board to bring in youth players from outside the area

Last years youth team included Godwin Antwi, Jack Hobbs, Mikel Roque and Anderson and this youth team has included the keeper Hansen & the Berger look alike whose name escapes me. The guy on the radio said Heighway opposed this but had been forced to tow the line

Also the Echo said the club employs over 100 scouts worldwide YET at least 80 of those work in the Liverpool area on youth recruitment

IMO Heighway is relatively good at his job but in todays football hes too narrow minded.

[enema of the state]

Whilst it is widely "believed" Elias would take over there was a piece on the Football Echo last week or the week before that suggested he wouldnt be taking over as he prefers the scouting / recruitment side of things

elias will not take heiways title

elias is (already) top man for youth development

[Lecter]

NOT in title - because he already holds a post at lfc - and NOT in terms of day to day running of the academy side

but elias IS the head man when it comes to developing youth talent into 1st team players

thats what heighway was supposed to be

thats what heighway has been a failure at

Elias is in youth recruitment, Heighway is the Academy Director and coach

They are NOW two entirely seperate jobs

As has been mentioned by Milky the Echo suggested that Miller would more than likely become Academy Director with Elias keeping his current position

The feeling in the Echo was that this would be a more dovetailed relationship than the current Elias / Heighway one

[Lecter]

elias will not take heiways title

elias is (already) top man for youth development

They are two completely seperate briefs

Elias recruits youth players from outside the area, Heighway is in charge of local recruitment and coaches them and oversees them

[bazza76]

Gary Mac?

id love to believe that, not sure if he is ready for that though, or has ambitions to be a club manager, I think it would be good experience tfor him to watch Rafa though.

[Lecter]

NOT in title - because he already holds a post at lfc - and NOT in terms of day to day running of the academy side

but elias IS the head man when it comes to developing youth talent into 1st team players

thats what heighway was supposed to be

thats what heighway has been a failure at

From what I've heard he only recruits he doesnt have ANYTHING to do with development that is the job of the Academy Director / Reserve Coach

[enema of the state]

From what I've heard he only recruits he DIDNT have ANYTHING to do with development that is the job of the Academy Director / Reserve Coach

wonder why that might have been?

[enema of the state]

They HAVE BEEN two completely seperate briefs

again, could a smart person like you hazard a guess as to why?

they ARE NOW two very tightly integrated briefs according to a senior member of lfc's coaching staff

[Lecter]

wonder why that might have been?

Based on what the Echo says I reckon that Elias' role will be unchanged

As far as I can remember his work at Southampton was only with the recruitment side of things he wasnt involved with coaching or developing the players

[Roboklopp]

Gary Mac?

I'd love that. Love to have him back at the club in some capacity- a great bloke, a great talent & a great example.

[Lecter]

again, could a smart person like you hazard a guess as to why?

they ARE NOW two very tightly integrated briefs according to a senior member of lfc's coaching staff

I dont need it spelling out

Its obvious

Elias was involved in yout h recuirtment from outside the Merseyside area, Heighway has never been an advocate of that

Now Elias will work with someone who will not hamper him but I dont see it changing his role significantly. His brief will still be recruitment nothing more

Just an opinion

[enema of the state]

Based on what the Echo says I reckon that Elias' role will be unchanged

As far as I can remember his work at Southampton was only with the recruitment side of things he wasnt involved with coaching or developing the players

if by that you mean he didnt run round in a tracksuit much then you might have a point. that is and was because hes the "boss" when it comes to recruitment and development of players for the 1st team

[enema of the state]

I dont need it spelling out

Its obvious

Elias was involved in yout h recuirtment from outside the Merseyside area, Heighway has never been an advocate of that

Now Elias will work with someone who will not hamper him but I dont see it changing his role significantly. His brief will still be recruitment nothing more

Just an opinion

as its told to me:

elias will work with someone who's agenda will not conflict directly with his

and who will be subordinate to him unlike the previous incumbent.

and who is not an ex-lfc great with a great deal of clout/respect with the club and fans (yet not really that good at his job)

just an opinion - but from somebody who ought to know for certain

[Lecter]

if by that you mean he didnt run round in a tracksuit much then you might have a point. that is and was because hes the "boss" when it comes to recruitment and development of players for the 1st team

To develop a player he has to coach them or be involved with them day to day

It would be difficult to be heavily involved in recruitment whilst doing the development as well

I dont doubt what you have been told but I personally dont think hes involved with development whatsoever

They are two entirely seperate issues