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Manchester United’s head of academy Nick Cox paid tribute to Tony Whelan, who recently left the club after an incredibly successful 34-year tenure.
Whelan came through United’s famous youth system under the legendary Sir Matt Busby and went on to play for the reserves.
In 1990, he was invited back into the fold by iconic duo Nobby Stiles and Brian Kidd, in the capacity of an academy coach.
He went on to become the academy head of coaching and served as the academy programme adviser during his latter years at Old Trafford.
A total of 97 academy graduates made their first-team debuts during Whelan’s tenure at the club. According to the Daily Mail, Whelan’s last day on the job was December 31. He left quietly because he didn’t want a fuss to be made out of his exit.
Nick Cox said about the 70-year-old [via Training Ground Guru], “Tony didn’t want a big announcement made or any attention drawn to his departure.”
“As has often been the case during his time at the club, Tony did not seek the limelight. Tony made an immense contribution to the football club since returning in 1990, having first represented United as a player between 1968 and 1973.”
“He gave more than 30 years’ service to the club, holding a variety of roles including Soccer Schools Coach, Academy Coach, Head of Coaching and most recently Academy Advisor.”
“Tony transcended many eras at United having played under Sir Matt Busby, worked closely with Sir Alex Ferguson and played a key role in crafting our world leading youth development system. His work, along with other talented colleagues, to launch the Academy in its modern form in 1998 paved the way for the success that we see today.”
“There are countless amounts of professional footballers, not least the 97 Academy graduates who have made their debuts for United during his time at the club, who will be grateful for the impact that Tony had on their careers and lives. Although, you will all know, that Tony’s passion and priority was always to ensure that every single player, regardless of their ability, was given the appropriate support to be able to enjoy football as part of healthy childhood so that they could develop the personal qualities required to go on to be outstanding young adults.”
“An approach that we strive to ensure is evident in the way that we work today. Tony embodied the ethos of United’s Academy and is beloved by players of all ages, parents and colleagues alike. We will forever be grateful for the important role that he has played in shaping our Academy.”
“Tony often remarked ‘that it was his honour to carry the baton of youth development from one generation to the next’. On celebrating his 30 years of service in 2022 Tony quoted Sir Isaac Newton stating that ‘if I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants’. He was proud of our clubs history and was proud to have the responsibility to act as a custodian of our traditions and values.”
“These humble mantras sum him up in many ways. We will all miss his daily presence at Carrington, the Cliff and Littleton Road but know that the culture, that he helped to create, and the players, whose development he supported, will serve as a fitting legacy to his incredible service to Manchester United.”
“Tony recently had the indoor pitch at The Cliff named after him; a fitting reminder for staff that work their of their responsibilities in caring for young people.”
Cox added, “Tony has taken some time away visiting family over the last few weeks but he knows that he will always be a welcome visitor at the club. I have also expressed to him that we hope to be able to continue to benefit from his knowledge and experiences when he is ready to do so.”
Whelan was given the Premier League’s Eamonn Dolan Award in 2020 for his contributions to youth development.
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