Pools legend Antony Sweeney has today sealed a full-time return to the Club as the new Youth Lead Phase Coach in our Academy.
Sweeney, who played 444 games for Pools between 2001 and 2014 after coming through the Academy system himself, will now return to help nurture the potential stars of the future.
Gateshead have agreed to mutually cancel his playing contract with them to allow him to take up the new role, with the midfielder officially retiring from professional football.
The 32-year- old began his new job at The Northern Gas and Power Stadium on Thursday morning, in which he will have responsibility for the development of the Club’s Under-12 through to Under-16 players.
“I’m really looking forward to this new role, it’s exciting,” Sweeney told Pools PlayerHD.
“It’s not something I was really expecting to be honest, having signed for Gateshead in the summer but in football timing is everything and something has cropped up here which is just too good to turn down.
“I think when you talk to young players it can help to have the experience of having sat where they are now so hopefully I can bring that to the role and continue the good work that has been done at the Club over a number of years.”
Sweeney takes over the role from Ian McGuckin who has been promoted to Head of Coaching as part of a reshuffle in the Club’s Academy.