Former Blues U18s coach Olly Lee has confirmed that he has moved to Norwich City to work with their U21s, as revealed by TWTD a fortnight ago.

Writing on LinkedIn, Lee said: “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as lead U21 coach.”

Former Luton, Gillingham, Hearts and Birmingham midfielder Lee, 33, only took on his role at Playford Road in January having previously been working in Tottenham’s youth set-up.

We understand David Wright has been working with Matt Pooley with the U18s in addition to his U21s role as an interim measure ahead of the appointment of a replacement.

Lee, the son of former England, Charlton, Newcastle and West Ham midfielder Robert, took on the job from Callum Tongue, who departed in November last year for a recruitment role at Manchester United having only been at the club for eight months.

Sam Darlow had previously been in the role and left the club in July 2023 for Nottingham Forest, where he is coaching the U18s and U21s.

Darlow had succeeded the long-serving Adem Atay, who joined Aston Villa in July 2022, working with their U18s, a position the still-locally-based former Blues academy midfielder opted to leave at the end of last year. Atay is now working at Norwich with their U16s.

Photo: TWTD

DinnernotTea added 17:57 - Nov 8 Rat. But a huge worry scum are able to bag the best academy staff talent across the country it seems.
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Northstandveteran added 17:57 - Nov 8 Splitter!
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Eeyore added 18:58 - Nov 8 When our new training facilities are complete he will be begging to come back
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Blue_Heath added 19:11 - Nov 8 Juuuuuuuuudas
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ArnieM added 19:15 - Nov 8 He clearly lacks ambition.
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trulyblue added 20:13 - Nov 8 Good riddance.
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Edmundo added 20:47 - Nov 8 A rare and hollow victory for the Norfolk budgies.
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cressi added 21:01 - Nov 8 Harsh but rarely does home grown talent make it to become a regular star player. Think we need to tap into south American football and places like the Czech Republic Austria etc pick up some bargains.
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runningout added 02:55 - Nov 9 looks like the guys leaving cannot see a path to our U21’s position. Offers elsewhere could be more attractive right now. Our academy set up could still be smelling of neglect in the past
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warfarinman69 added 19:57 - Nov 9 Bye It's a bit of turnover of staff, but the principles will remain the same. We've come a long way very quickly and my guess is that a shake up is necessary anyway. Wright is doing s great job, so let's build once new facilities are in place. It has to be remembered that some of the scholars were signed up when we were a L1 club. So the player pool is now stretched. Not worried at all by this.

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