Wolves bring in Sean O'Driscoll and Darius Vassell in academy reshuffle
Wolves have announced the arrival of several new academy staff.
Former Walsall boss Sean O'Driscoll has headed to Molineux as professional phase coach and is set to work alongside Darren Ryan with the Wolves U18s, whilst former Aston Villa striker Darius Vassell has also joined as a specialist forwards coach on a full-time basis.
Meanwhile, Scott Fry comes into the club as a schoolboy goalkeeping coach whilst Leon Jackson will take the role of youth phase coach.
Wolves' academy manager Gareth Prosser confirmed the decision to bring in the new staff online.
"Sean joins us as a Professional Phase coach, predominantly working with Darren (Ryan) with the Under-18s, but will also be involved with the Under-23s and younger schoolboy groups,” he said via the Wolves website.
"I am delighted for the players and the staff because his experience in the game over many years will add to the existing expertise that is already in place here.
“From being a manager at league clubs, to England Under-19s coach, assistant manager at Liverpool, Sean boasts so much valuable experience and is another excellent coach who can help all of our players in their journeys ahead.
“We are always after the best people and the right people, and the fact that Sean was born and brought up in Wolverhampton is an additional bonus - he knows the club and staff well and has that affiliation."
Also, Prosser was also thrilled to see ex-England international Vassell into a full-time role, following his work with the club over the past year on a part-time basis.
“Darius has been with us for about 12 months on a part time basis working with one of the schoolboy age groups,” he said.
“In that time he has built up a good rapport and shown an excellent manner when working with the players.
“He is now joining us full-time as part of the Premier League’s BAME initiative looking to ensure that Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic Minority coaches are given sufficient opportunities within coaching.
“Darius will work as a forwards coach across the academy age groups whilst also supporting a younger group as an age group coach.
“It is very much a new role to us, to bring in a specialist coach, but we are very excited about what Darius has to offer.”
“Again, it is some more great experience for our young players to be coached by someone who has played at the highest level both here and abroad, and also played many times for England.
“He can share his experiences with all the players, including the forwards during the specific sessions. He is another great addition to the staff.”
The club have also made a change off the pitch, recruiting Lisa Hollis as academy administrator, completing a sizeable shake-up behind the scenes.
