Marc Bridge-Wilkinson to step down as Liverpool U18s head coach

Bridge-Wilkinson has played a pivotal role at the Academy during that period, first with the U14s group and then with the U15s/U16s before spending the last five years in charge of the U18s.

He said: "It's hard to believe it's been 10 years since I joined LFC but now it is time to move on to a new challenge.

"The Academy is a special place and it's been an absolute pleasure to be part of the team for the past decade.

"I'd like to thank Alex Inglethorpe and Nick Marshall for giving me the opportunity and placing faith in me to move up through the age groups.

"A massive thank you, too, to all the coaching staff and the support team – being a part of players' journeys at such an important stage of their development is a huge privilege and I'll continue to follow their careers closely."

LFC Academy director Alex Inglethorpe said Bridge-Wilkinson will leave behind an important legacy that will continue to benefit both the youth set-up and the club as a whole in the coming years.

Inglethorpe said: "Marc's talent and dedication has been evident throughout his time with us and is evidenced by the development of so many young players who have come under his guidance, none more so than those who have gone on to first-team debuts both here at LFC and elsewhere in the Premier League and Football League pyramid.

"The likes of Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley and Tyler Morton were among the U18s group he led to an FA Youth Cup final, all of whom have taken that important next step to the LFC first team, among many others.

"I'd like to offer Marc sincere thanks for his wonderful service, and I know everyone at the club will wish him well in his future endeavours."

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