Salford City have confirmed the appointment of Manchester United U23 manager Neil Wood.
Class of '92-owned Salford sacked Gary Bowyer earlier this week and it was confirmed on Friday evening that Wood had been appointed as his permanent successor. Wood spent three years at United as the head coach of the club's Under-23s.
The Salford job is Wood's first managerial position in the senior game and the appointment comes after United's U23s finished sixth in the Premier League 2. Wood helped 17 academy players make their first-team debuts at Old Trafford during his tenure.
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Wood played an instrumental role in the development of Anthony Elanga, Shola Shoretire, Dylan Levitt, James Garner and Ethan Laird among others. Zidane Iqbal, Charlie Savage and Alejandro Garnacho were the latest academy players to make their debuts this term.
Sources at United have indicated they are happy with Wood's decision to coach within a first-team environment.
“It’s come round quite quickly to be honest," Wood said following his appointment.
"But it’s a great opportunity, a great Club, and a great chance for me to come into an environment that’s had some success.
"I’m very excited for the challenge, I think it’s going to be really good going forward, a new challenge for me but one that I’m looking forward to."
United will appoint Wood's replacement as U23 manager in due course.
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