Latest news with #BarryLewtas
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Liverpool confirm signing of 20-year-old Armin Pecsi from Puskas Akademia
Liverpool have announced the £1.5 million ($2m) signing of 20-year-old Hungarian goalkeeper Armin Pecsi from Puskas Akademia. Pecsi's arrival follows the departure of academy graduate Caoimhin Kelleher, who joined Brentford earlier this week for a fee rising to £18m ($24.4m). Pecsi played 30 times for Puskas Akademia in Hungary's top-flight in 2024-25 and is expected to play for Liverpool's Under-21 side next season. The Athletic reported that the Premier League champions believe Pecsi has high potential and will provide further depth to their goalkeeping ranks. Advertisement The Hungary Under-21 international has made 52 appearances in total for Puskas Akademia, while he also played 18 times in a loan spell with fellow Hungarian side Csakvar. Liverpool's goalkeeping department has undergone a number of changes this summer, with Giorgi Mamardashvili set to join the club from Valencia after a £29m deal was reached last August for the Georgia international. Vitezslav Jaros, 23, made two first-team appearances for Liverpool last season but is expected to be loaned out for the 2024-25 campaign. Pecsi, meanwhile, will be competing with Kornel Misciur for game time in the Under-21s. Liverpool's long-serving Under-21s head coach Barry Lewtas announced his departure earlier this week after 12 years at the club. ()
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Liverpool confirm highly-rated coach is leaving after 12 years - just days after Arne Slot's right-hand man John Heitinga joined Ajax
Liverpool have announced the departure of their highly influential Under-21s coach Barry Lewtas after 12 years at the club. Lewtas, who started as a Under-12 coach before rising up the ranks, believes it is time to for a 'new adventure' and has hopes of becoming a senior manager. The 44-year-old managed the likes of Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott during his time at Melwood, first under Brendan Rogers before Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot. He coached the Under-15/16s before two seasons with the Under-18s, who he led to FA Youth Cup victory in 2019. For the past five seasons he has remained in charge of Liverpool's Under-21 side, while also coaching the Under-19s in the UEFA Youth League. While the Reds romped to Premier League victory last season, they did so while providing homegrown academy players with the most minutes out of any club. Lewtas' departure comes just days after assistant boss John Heitinga announced he had agreed to become manager of Ajax and represents a major reshuffle behind the scenes at Anfield. The former Everton defender arrived at Liverpool last summer and served as Slot's No 2 throughout their victorious Premier League winning campaign. Meanwhile, Lewtas also helped developed Jarell Quansah, Tyler Morton, James McConnell, Vitezslav Jaros and Nottingham Forest defender Neco Williams who have all featured in Liverpool's first team. 'Sometimes you just know the time is right for a new adventure and I really feel the perfect time for me is now,' said Lewtas. 'Of course, I'm sad to be moving on but I also have 12 wonderful years to look back on, including the last five with the U21s. Seeing young players make that next step to the LFC first team or moving on to success elsewhere is hugely satisfying. 'I want to give a massive thanks to all the staff I've worked with throughout the age groups, to all the players who have been part of those teams and also to their parents, who are often forgotten about but play such a vital role in making sure their sons can reach their full potential. 'Everything I've ever done has been about the team and they have all helped make the journey as special as it has been. Now I'm looking forward to being a fan from afar and full of energy and excitement for what comes next.' Liverpool's academy director Alex Inglethorpe said: 'Barry's influence has been felt at so many age groups in the Academy and he leaves with our very best wishes. 'Player development is at the forefront of our role and many young players owe him a debt of gratitude for helping them towards first-team football both here at LFC and of course elsewhere in the pyramid. 'His spell with the U18s brought the club a fourth FA Youth Cup victory in a memorable night in Manchester, while his stewardship of the U21s over the last five years has seen a number of players make their LFC first-team debuts. 'I'd like to thank Barry for everything he has contributed to life at the Academy, both on and off the pitch, and I know everyone at the club will wish him well in his exciting journey to come.'
New York Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Liverpool Under-21s head coach Barry Lewtas to leave the club after 12 years
Liverpool Under-21s head coach Barry Lewtas is leaving the club after 12 years of service. Lewtas has aspirations of becoming a manager at senior level and believes the time is right to pursue 'a new adventure'. He started off as under-12s coach at Liverpool before working his way up the ranks. He led the under-18s to FA Youth Cup glory in 2019 before taking over the under-21s in the summer of 2020.'Sometimes you just know the time is right for a new adventure and I really feel the perfect time for me is now,' he told Advertisement 'Of course, I'm sad to be moving on but I also have 12 wonderful years to look back on, including the last five with the 21s. 'Seeing young players make that next step to the LFC first team or moving on to success elsewhere is hugely satisfying. 'I want to give a massive thanks to all the staff I've worked with throughout the age groups, to all the players who have been part of those teams and also to their parents who are often forgotten about but play such a vital role in making sure their sons can reach their full potential. 'Everything I've ever done has been about the team and they have all helped make the journey as special as it has been. Now I'm looking forward to being a fan from afar and full of energy and excitement for what comes next.' Liverpool FC can confirm Barry Lewtas is to step down from his role as head coach of Liverpool U21s. Barry's influence has been felt throughout the Academy and he leaves with our very best wishes. — Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 6, 2025 Lewtas helped develop the likes of Curtis Jones, Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah, Tyler Morton, James McConnell and Vitezslav Jaros, who all made the leap to the first team from academy level. Liverpool academy director Alex Inglethorpe added: 'Barry's influence has been felt at so many age groups in the academy and he leaves with our very best wishes. 'Player development is at the forefront of our role and many young players owe him a debt of gratitude for helping them towards first team football both here at LFC and of course elsewhere in the pyramid. 'His spell with the u18s brought the club a fourth FA Youth Cup victory in a memorable night in Manchester while his stewardship of the u21s over the last five years has seen a number of players make their LFC first team debuts. 'I'd like to thank Barry for everything he has contributed to life at the academy, both on and off the pitch, and I know everyone at the club will wish him well in his exciting journey to come.' Lewtas' exit means Liverpool now need to recruit new head coaches for both the under-18s and under-21s. Marc Bridge-Wilkinson recently stepped down as under-18s boss after 10 years at the club. ()
