Former City midfielder becomes Liverpool coach
Gary O'Neil has been appointed as a coach of Liverpool's under-23s. Picture: Daniel Hambury/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Daniel Hambury/Focus Images Ltd
Former Norwich City midfielder Gary O’Neil has taken his first steps into coaching after being appointed as Liverpool Under-23s assistant manager.
The 37-year-old joins the Premier League champions following his retirement from playing caused by an Achilles injury. O’Neil will be assisting under-23s manager Barry Lewtas in developing some of the most highly-regarded young talents in the game.
O’Neil made 55 appearances for the Canaries during a two-year spell with the club between 2014 to 2016. He came on as a late substitute in City’s famous 2-0 Play-Off Final win over Middlesbrough at Wembley in 2015.
He featured heavily in Alex Neil’s Premier League team the year after - but failed to agree a new contract with City before moving onto sign for Bristol City on a free transfer.
The experienced midfielder made over 200 Premier League appearances for various clubs including West Ham and Portsmouth. O’Neil is ready to pass on his knowledge of the game to the next generation of players.
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“I’m really excited. I’ve been desperate to get going. It’s been going on for a little while and obviously with the break and the Academy having to take an even longer break than the first team, I’ve had to wait a little while.
“But now it’s finally come around and I’m really excited and can’t wait to get going,” O’Neil told Liverpool’s official website.
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The industrious midfielder always had plans to become a coach and has explained how he will utilise the information given to him by various managers throughout his 19-year career.
“I figured out at an early age – maybe mid-20s – that I wanted to manage and coach at some point, so I started to take bits from different people and then try to mould it into my own way. But I still have an awful lot to learn.
O'Neil played under Alex Neil at Carrow Road. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
“So the fact that I’m going into a place like Liverpool to learn off the guys there and to be able to work with some fantastic young players is an amazing opportunity for me, and hopefully I can pass on some of my knowledge and experiences to the boys.”
