Post by Taxigirl on Jul 23, 2005 8:40:00 GMT
www.leedsunited.com
Former Newcastle United assistant manager John Carver has been named as the new head coach at Elland Road.
Kevin Blackwell insisted he would bring in a top name after Steve Agnew's departure earlier this month left a vacancy within the United coaching ranks, and Carver is as experienced as they come.
The 40-year-old has spent all his coaching career with his hometown club and worked alongside some of the biggest names in football.
"I joined Newcastle as a 14-year-old and left when I was 19 and then went on to Cardiff City but I had to finish with a serious injury," explained John.
"So I went home, got into coaching and joined Newcastle in 1991 under Kevin Keegan as their Centre of Excellence Director and then moved on to become youth coach under Kenny Dalglish. Ruud Gullit gave me my first job working as a first team coach under him and then Sir Bobby Robson came in and I was his assistant manager for five seasons.
"When there was a change of manager, Graeme came in and brought his own staff with him and I was sent down to work with the younger players at the Academy for eight months, that came to an end and now I'm lucky enough to be at Leeds."
"It's a challenge I am looking forward to."
Blackwell had to fight hard to get Carver, especially after a number of Premiership clubs offered him senior roles, but a Leeds old-boy convinced him it was the right move.
"The first person I spoke to about the job was my brother in law, Peter Haddock, who everyone knows down here, and he said I should go for Leeds.
"I did have a choice of a few other clubs but I chose Leeds because of everything he said about the club. I know for a fact that Leeds United is on a par with Newcastle, they are both two fantastic clubs."
The genial Geordie was out with the first team on Friday afternoon and has quickly become acquainted with the players and staff at Thorp Arch.
"I will be involved with the first team on a day to day basis to give the manager a hand and allow him to have a rest when he has to deal with other problems.
"I'll be making sure everyone knows how big this club is and we all want to get back into the Premiership."
Former Newcastle United assistant manager John Carver has been named as the new head coach at Elland Road.
Kevin Blackwell insisted he would bring in a top name after Steve Agnew's departure earlier this month left a vacancy within the United coaching ranks, and Carver is as experienced as they come.
The 40-year-old has spent all his coaching career with his hometown club and worked alongside some of the biggest names in football.
"I joined Newcastle as a 14-year-old and left when I was 19 and then went on to Cardiff City but I had to finish with a serious injury," explained John.
"So I went home, got into coaching and joined Newcastle in 1991 under Kevin Keegan as their Centre of Excellence Director and then moved on to become youth coach under Kenny Dalglish. Ruud Gullit gave me my first job working as a first team coach under him and then Sir Bobby Robson came in and I was his assistant manager for five seasons.
"When there was a change of manager, Graeme came in and brought his own staff with him and I was sent down to work with the younger players at the Academy for eight months, that came to an end and now I'm lucky enough to be at Leeds."
"It's a challenge I am looking forward to."
Blackwell had to fight hard to get Carver, especially after a number of Premiership clubs offered him senior roles, but a Leeds old-boy convinced him it was the right move.
"The first person I spoke to about the job was my brother in law, Peter Haddock, who everyone knows down here, and he said I should go for Leeds.
"I did have a choice of a few other clubs but I chose Leeds because of everything he said about the club. I know for a fact that Leeds United is on a par with Newcastle, they are both two fantastic clubs."
The genial Geordie was out with the first team on Friday afternoon and has quickly become acquainted with the players and staff at Thorp Arch.
"I will be involved with the first team on a day to day basis to give the manager a hand and allow him to have a rest when he has to deal with other problems.
"I'll be making sure everyone knows how big this club is and we all want to get back into the Premiership."