West Ham United is pleased to confirm that Steve Potts has been appointed as the Club’s U21s lead coach.
The former defender, who made 506 appearances in an illustrious playing career in east London, succeeds Mark Robson in overseeing the development squad.
Potts, who was previously U21 assistant coach, will now lead the squad following Robson’s promotion to David Moyes’s first-team coaching staff.
Gerard Prenderville, part of the U18s coaching set-up last season, moves into the role of U21s assistant coach.
Prenderville will continue to work with many of the players who won a league and FA Youth Cup double at Under-18 level in 2022/23 as they make the step up to Premier League 2.
Meanwhile, Lauris Coggin, who oversaw the U19s tour of India last season, will take the position of U18s assistant coach and work alongside U18s lead coach Kevin Keen.
West Ham United’s U21s have won their last four fixtures, while our U18s are unbeaten in their last two fixtures in all competitions.
Academy Manager Kenny Brown said: “I would like to personally congratulate Steve and Gerard on stepping into the roles of lead coach and assistant coach for our U21s squad.
“As a former player, with over 500 appearances, Steve’s West Ham United connection is clear, and he knows the Club and the Academy of Football’s ethos better than anyone.
“I am also delighted he will be joined by Gerard, another fantastic coach at Chadwell Heath, who has had huge success with this group of players at the Under-18 level, winning the FA Youth Cup and league title last season.
“Steve and Gerard have worked within the Academy for many years and this appointment is a testament to not only the quality of their work but also their passion and drive to help develop young players.
“Both appointments ensure the development squad are in the best place to continue their impressive start to the season and will allow a seamless transition of one coaching staff to the next following Mark Robson’s promotion to the first-team set-up.”
