Sheffield Wednesday can confirm the appointment of Dean Ramsdale as the club’s new academy manager.
The North West product brings a wealth of experience to Middlewood Road with a 20-year background in football.
Ramsdale began his career with Burnley, where his role incorporated that of Head of the Under-9s – Under-11s Centre of Excellence and assistant coach to the Under-18s.
He also managed the Clarets’ Football in the Community Programme.
Dean then moved across the Pennines to Preston North End to take up the role of Director of Youth Development, where he produced and oversaw the club’s coaching philosophy and structure from the Under-9s – Under-18s before completing the EPPP Audit Tool for PNE.
A raft of academy youngsters graduated through to senior involvement at Deepdale under Ramsdale’s guidance – including current Owls winger Danny Mayor.
He also served as Preston’s assistant manager in the Championship alongside David Unsworth on a caretaker basis.
Ramsdale moved to Morecambe as Lead Coach in line with the EPPP and oversaw the Under-18s, Under-21s and 9s – 16s in the club’s Development Centre before being lured to Hillsborough.
He said: “This is a great opportunity for me at a massive club that is moving forward. I want to build on the foundations already in place at the academy and I can’t wait to get started.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the staff and, of course, Dave Jones and the management team.
“I am here to help the academy move forward and develop the young players the best I possibly can.”
Owls boss Dave Jones added: “Dean is a very experienced and committed coach who will prove a key addition to our aims at Sheffield Wednesday.
“He has produced some really good young footballers and everyone is looking forward to working with him.”