Town have parted company with U18s coach Russell Osman, we understand. The former Blues and England centre-half, whose official title was professional development (lead) coach, has been at the academy since being appointed by ex-manager Paul Jewell in February 2011.
A key member of Sir Bobby Robson’s 1981 UEFA Cup-winning team, who won 11 full England caps, Osman made 382 starts and three sub appearances with Town, scoring 29 goals.
He made his debut in September 1977 having come through the Town's youth ranks, eventually moving on for Leicester at the end of 1984/85.
Professional development coach Gerard Nash could now take on the responsibility of looking after the U18s, while the academy director Bryan Klug will be looking to add to his staff over the season as the Blues aim to move to a Category One set-up for 2014/15.
Speaking last week, Klug revealed that another member of Robson’s side, midfielder Frans Thijssen, will be spending time coaching at Playford Road and we understand that the former Dutch international could potentially make a more permanent return to his old club.
Meanwhile, Town’s U21s coach Mark Kennedy was spotted at Blue Square Bet Premier Barnet’s 2-1 friendly defeat to Limassol at The Hive on Saturday.
Bees’ centre-half David Stephens may have been the reason for Kennedy’s trip with Championship and League One clubs understood to have been keeping tabs on the 21-year-old’s progress since his move from Hibernian to the then-League Two side last summer.
Born in Welwyn Garden City, Wales U21 international Stephens started his career with Norwich but made only one sub appearance in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy while at Carrow Road. After a loan spell at Lincoln, the 6ft 4in tall defender moved on to Hibs in July 2010.