AIDY BOOTHROYD IS leaving his role as England Under-21 manager, the Football Association has announced.
The 50-year-old’s future had been in doubt after the Young Lions’ early exit from Euro 2021 and his contract was due to expire in the summer.
Boothroyd guided the Young Lions to three European Championships – reaching the semi-finals in 2017 – after succeeding Gareth Southgate in 2016.
The ex-Watford boss wants to focus on a return to club football.
Boothroyd said: “It’s been the greatest privilege to represent the FA and lead England teams into high-profile tournaments.
“While we didn’t finish in the way we wanted, I’m very proud to have been able to work so closely with players who I know will go on to have remarkable international careers and to have experienced some very special moments with them over the years.
“I’d like to thank my staff and all of the incredible support team that have done so much to help us remain competitive against other elite nations.
“In every single get-together they embraced our unique challenge of rightly prioritising the needs of the senior team while ensuring we gave our all to try and get a positive performance and result.”
Boothroyd – who won the Toulon Tournament with England in 2018 – stepped up from Under-20s manager to the Under-21s to replace Southgate in 2016, when Southgate was appointed interim senior boss after Sam Allardyce’s exit.
We can confirm that #YoungLions coach Aidy Boothroyd is to depart the @FA after a seven-year spell with the organisation:
— England (@England) April 16, 2021
He took the job permanently in 2017 and guided the Young Lions to the semi-finals of the European Championship in Poland, losing to Germany on penalties in the semi-finals.
Two years later, in Italy and San Marino, England failed to get out of the group – losing to France and Romania and drawing with Croatia.
Last month the Young Lions were knocked out in the group stages of Euro 2021 in Hungary and Slovenia.
Defeats to Switzerland and Portugal meant they needed to beat Croatia by two goals to reach the knock-out phase. They were leading 2-0 going into injury time only for Domagoj Bradaric’s last-gasp goal to eliminate them.
Speaking before the Croatia game, Boothroyd described managing the Under-21s as “the utterly impossible job”, citing the competing demands of winning games and developing players to step up to the senior team.
Southgate said: “I’d like to thank Aidy for his wholehearted support and dedication to developing English players and coaches across the last seven years.
“His pride in working with all of our development teams has shone through and his support of the senior team has been greatly appreciated. I wish him every success on the next step of his career.”
The FA will now start the search for Boothroyd’s successor – with Frank Lampard, Justin Cochrane and Paul Simpson linked.
Can’t believe the journal couldn’t find someone to do a minute by minute for the Ulster final….but of Course the Leinster senior AND minor were fully covered.
Struggled to watch it not to mind read about it tbh
I agree, maybe Mr. O Rourke can explain The Journal’s policy, if he is allowed?
No they did, he fell asleep.
Why cover shite.
You’re just sore you were captured in Donegal Wolfe, let it go man
Have to agree wit you Wolfe tone, hard to watch, hon the Farney .
To win 3 of the last 4 Ulster championships is a great achievement. Well done Donegal.
Thx. Great win by the minors too – they look v strong. Best of luck to Monaghan – hope they can regroup for qualifiers.
absolute dire stuff Ulster is slowly killing Gaelic football
Donegal won easy enough in the end. Never really looked that threatened by Monaghan. Be interesting to see how far Donegal can go this year.
Still more entertaining than at least 25-35% of soccer matches.
That’s a random stat kevin
It’s not a stat, stats are facts. This is just an opinion. Big difference.
Ok, it’s a bit random that you pulled a figure of 25-35% out of your ass. Valid opinion indeed.
So if I said “this match was still more entertaining than a good chunk of soccer matches”, you wouldn’t have been so pedantic? Or would “good chunk” have been too vague to gain your validation as an opinion??
I see. So you’re easily bothered, and failed to see the very basic sentiment behind my comment. I hope I don’t fall foul of your judgement again
Most interesting thing was the Palestine flag at the end #Controversial
Why #flag
Would rather eat my own flesh than watch that again…
Would that include eating your own willie, Willie?
Although the quality of football wasn’t fantastic, the commentary was shocking. Tom Carr and Martin carney are two of the worst “experts” ever to commentate on football.
Dublin no biting , Dublin no biting. Oh man.
Puke football – if this stuff wins titles I’m off to watch cricket
Off you go to the lords then so.
I see the savages on the pitch for the presentation anything goes in Ulster
Not unlike the savages caged in on the hill eeh Paul
Tyrone fooked that up for everyone if I remember correctly the province is killing the game
Only savages dear Paul r on Dublin Football team how many bitings now.
none how many players sanctioned over biting Eileen?
Jason Whelan 1 and the other ones the GAA buckled it
Paul this is the second time you asked that question and on both occasions you got your answer – Jason Whelan for one. This disgusting Neanderthal behaviours has to stop. Whatever the debate about tactics no player should be subjected to this barbarism.
totally agree no time for such carry on
That was a terrible advertisement for GAA. As poor as the Leinster Final was at least there was some football on show. Let’s hope they meet Mayo again this year and get another hammering. Maybe then they will change their tactics and try and play the game as it is meant to be played.
It’s the only tactic to get out of Ulster. If you want to stop it then support an open draw. I’m up for that. I can say for certain if Dublin were in ulster they’d not come out with 3 out of 4 provincial titles.
Well first of all they can’t play Mayo unless they both get to the final. And play how its ment to be played? Didn’t realise there was a compulsory style of Gaelic football play. May as well through out all the chalkboards, scouting missions, tactics and formation styles as everyone has to play the same to be successful.
Congrats to donegal on victory! But,I don’t know what to say about the football,I’m at loss where to start really, putrid football! Just pure MUCK
Pure shit to look at.
So is your… Ah forget it