Atlanta United officially announced the hiring of Richard Money as its academy director on Thursday.
The AJC reported on Money's being a finalist in February.
Money is a 60-year-old native of England who has worked as a manger and/or technical director for clubs around the world, including Newcastle, Aston Villa and Coventry City in England, as well as clubs in Sweden and Australia.
This is his first job in the U.S. and MLS.
Atlanta United President Darren Eales said they spoke with candidates from around they world as they looked for someone who:
- Has a track record of developing players;
- Has a track record of developing coaches;
- Helps players from youth ranks to the first team;
- Can handle the business aspects of the academy;
“He’s been a player, academy director and a head coach at the top level,” Eales said. “That was an important part for us.”
Money will work with Tony Annan, who brings years of experience in the Atlanta youth soccer community, to form what Eales said should be a “brilliant partnership” because one has a local view and the other can bring a different perspective.
Money’s most important job in the coming weeks is to hire a staff, according to Eales. The academy will be based in the team’s headquarters in Cobb County. The academy will include under-18 years old, under-16, under-14, under-13 and under-12 teams.
There will be approximately 20 players on each team, run by two coaches and a goalkeeping coach. There will also be support staff of sports science, medical and administration that will be composed of roughly 15 people. The academy will be part of U.S. Soccer’s Developmental Academy.
“We want to help raise the bar in youth development,” Eales said. “An important part of Richard’s role is to help at grassroots level anyway he can.”
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