Latest news with #MalcolmElias
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Premier League academy recruitment expert who helped to unearth the likes of Gareth Bale, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Theo Walcott dies aged 71
Malcolm Elias, the highly respected academy figure who played a vital role in the early careers of Gareth Bale, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Theo Walcott, has died at the age of 71 following a short illness. Elias, who served as Fulham 's head of academy recruitment for nearly 16 years, was regarded as one of the most influential figures in English youth development. He worked at Southampton and Liverpool before joining Fulham in 2009, helping to identify and nurture a generation of Premier League and international stars. His passing was confirmed late on Friday night in a heartfelt statement from Fulham, describing him as a 'hugely popular figure' whose impact 'cannot be understated'. The statement read: 'It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our colleague and dear friend, Malcolm Elias, after a short illness. 'The Club's Head of Academy Recruitment, Malcolm had a fantastic reputation in football for unearthing and nurturing young talent.' 'A proud Welshman, Elias had been due to celebrate 16 years at Craven Cottage this summer, having joined Fulham from Liverpool in 2009. 'Prior to that, he enjoyed a hugely successful spell at Southampton alongside future Fulham colleagues Huw Jennings and Steve Wigley. 'The influence that Malcolm had on the modern game cannot be understated,' Fulham added. 'Having worked with and developed the likes of Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott, Luke Harris and Jay Stansfield, to name but a few. 'A hugely popular figure around the training ground, Malcolm will be sorely missed by all who knew him.' The club also extended condolences to his loved ones, saying: 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to Paula – Malcolm's ever devoted and endlessly supportive wife of nearly 50 years – his sons Andrew and Daniel, his six beloved grandchildren, as well as his additional family and friends.' Elias began his career in youth development with Oxford United in the 1980s, where he worked as academy manager while also teaching in Blackbird Leys. He later went on to shape elite youth systems at Southampton. His time at Liverpool was particularly notable for supporting the development of Alexander-Arnold, who would go on to win every major honour with his boyhood club before joining Real Madrid this summer. It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our colleague and dear friend, Malcolm Elias, after a short illness. The Club's Head of Academy Recruitment, Malcolm had a fantastic reputation in football for unearthing and nurturing young talent. A proud Welshman,… — Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) June 6, 2025 Following the news Elias had died, tributes poured in from across football. Southampton said: 'We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Malcolm Elias, one of the influential figures in the club's youth development history.' Oxford United called him 'an integral part of the club's history', adding: 'A much loved person and coach at the club for more than a decade, Malcolm helped bring through talents such as Joey Beauchamp.'
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Ex-Liverpool and Premier League talent guru Malcolm Elias who was behind rise of Trent Alexander and Gareth Bale dies
FORMER Premier League talent spotter and academy recruitment expert Malcolm Elias has passed away aged 71, it has been announced. Fulham FC confirmed Elias' passing in a statement on social media. 1 The post read: "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our colleague and dear friend, Malcolm Elias, after a short illness. "The Club's Head of Academy Recruitment, Malcolm had a fantastic reputation in football for unearthing and nurturing young talent. "A proud Welshman, Malcolm was approaching his 16th anniversary at Craven Cottage this summer, having joined us from Liverpool in July 2009, while he also previously enjoyed a highly successful spell at Southampton alongside future Fulham colleagues Huw Jennings and Steve Wigley. "The influence that Malcolm had on the modern game cannot be understated, having worked with and developed the likes of Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott, Luke Harris and Jay Stansfield, to name but a few. "A hugely popular figure around the training ground, Malcolm will be sorely missed by all who knew him. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Paula - Malcolm's ever devoted and endlessly supportive wife of nearly 50 years - his sons Andrew and Daniel, his six beloved grandchildren, as well as his additional family and friends." Elias was always highly respected within football, having helped to identify and nurture some of the Premier League's best young talents. The academy recruitment expert previously worked with Liverpool before joining Fulham in 2009 - helping the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harvey Elliott get their breakthroughs. Prior to his time on Merseyside Elias worked with Southampton, where he had an impact on the early emergence of the likes of Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke Shaw and Gareth Bale. Tributes for the iconic figure have started pouring in as the football world mourns the loss. QPR posted: "We're so sorry for your loss. "Sending sincere condolences to Malcolm's loved ones and all at Fulham." While Oxford United, where Elias worked as an Academy Manager in the 1980s, posted: "Oxford United were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Malcolm Elias. "A former teacher in Blackbird Leys, Malcolm began working at United in the 80's as an Academy Manager. "A much loved person and coach at the Club for more than a decade, Malcolm is an integral part of the Club's history, helping bring through talents such as Joey Beauchamp. "Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this time. RIP." THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Ex-Liverpool and Premier League talent guru Malcolm Elias who was behind rise of Trent Alexander and Gareth Bale dies
FORMER Premier League talent spotter and academy recruitment expert Malcolm Elias has passed away aged 71, it has been announced. Fulham FC confirmed Elias' passing in a statement on social media. 1 Malcom Elias has passed away Credit: Fulham FC The post read: "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our colleague and dear friend, Malcolm Elias, after a short illness. "The Club's Head of Academy Recruitment, Malcolm had a fantastic reputation in football for unearthing and nurturing young talent. "A proud Welshman, Malcolm was approaching his 16th anniversary at Craven Cottage this summer, having joined us from Liverpool in July 2009, while he also previously enjoyed a highly successful spell at Southampton alongside future Fulham colleagues Huw Jennings and Steve Wigley. "The influence that Malcolm had on the modern game cannot be understated, having worked with and developed the likes of Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott, Luke Harris and Jay Stansfield, to name but a few. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL "A hugely popular figure around the training ground, Malcolm will be sorely missed by all who knew him. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Paula - Malcolm's ever devoted and endlessly supportive wife of nearly 50 years - his sons Andrew and Daniel, his six beloved grandchildren, as well as his additional family and friends." Elias was always highly respected within football, having helped to identify and nurture some of the Premier League's best young talents. The academy recruitment expert previously worked with Liverpool before joining Fulham in 2009 - helping the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harvey Elliott get their breakthroughs. Most read in Football Prior to his time on Merseyside Elias worked with Southampton, where he had an impact on the early emergence of the likes of Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke Shaw and Gareth Bale. Tributes for the iconic figure have started pouring in as the football world mourns the loss. QPR posted: "We're so sorry for your loss. "Sending sincere condolences to Malcolm's loved ones and all at Fulham." While Oxford United, where Elias worked as an Academy Manager in the 1980s, posted: "Oxford United were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Malcolm Elias. "A former teacher in Blackbird Leys, Malcolm began working at United in the 80's as an Academy Manager. "A much loved person and coach at the Club for more than a decade, Malcolm is an integral part of the Club's history, helping bring through talents such as Joey Beauchamp. "Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this time. RIP." MORE TO FOLLOW... THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Academy boss Elias - who developed Bale and Alexander-Arnold
Malcolm Elias, the man responsible for developing Gareth Bale and Trent Alexander-Arnold, has died after a short Fulham's head of academy recruitment, joined the Premier League club from Liverpool in 2009, having previously worked at Southampton. In a statement, Fulham said: "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our colleague and dear friend, Malcolm Elias, after a short illness."The club's head of academy recruitment, Malcolm had a fantastic reputation in football for unearthing and nurturing young talent."The influence that Malcolm had on the modern game cannot be understated, having worked with and developed the likes of Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott, Luke Harris and Jay Stansfield, to name but a few."Welshman Elias was born in 1953 and was key in the development of his compatriot Bale at the Southampton went on to win 111 Wales caps and enjoyed a successful club career with Saints, Tottenham and Real Madrid, where he won five Champions League titles. England's Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, won eight major trophies with boyhood club Liverpool before joining Real Madrid earlier this month."We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Malcolm Elias, one of the influential figures in the club's youth development history," Southampton said.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ex-Liverpool recruitment chief who helped develop Alexander-Arnold and Bale dies
Fulham's head of academy recruitment, Malcolm Elias, who previously performed a similar role at Liverpool, has died after an impressive career that saw him unlock the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Gareth Bale Fulham have confirmed that Malcolm Elias, who served as their head of academy recruitment, has died. He spent 16 years at Craven Cottage and had previously nurtured young talent, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, elsewhere. Elias left Anfield to move to west London in 2009, where he's been ever since. He's keen eye for a player saw him spot and aid the development of Harvey Elliott, who made his debut as the Premier League's youngest ever player and has since moved to Liverpool. In his previous role at Southampton Elias also nurtured young stars like Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott before they went on to big and better things. However he has now passed following a short illness with Fulham issuing their condolences to his family. A club statement read: "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our colleague and dear friend, Malcolm Elias, after a short illness. "The Club's Head of Academy Recruitment, Malcolm had a fantastic reputation in football for unearthing and nurturing young talent. READ MORE: Liverpool completing second summer signing as highly-rated Hungarian star to join Reds "A proud Welshman, Malcolm was approaching his 16th anniversary at Craven Cottage this summer, having joined us from Liverpool in July 2009, while he also previously enjoyed a highly successful spell at Southampton alongside future Fulham colleagues Huw Jennings and Steve Wigley. "The influence that Malcolm had on the modern game cannot be understated, having worked with and developed the likes of Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott, Luke Harris and Jay Stansfield, to name but a few. A hugely popular figure around the training ground, Malcolm will be sorely missed by all who knew him. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Paula - Malcolm's ever devoted and endlessly supportive wife of nearly 50 years - his sons Andrew and Daniel, his six beloved grandchildren, as well as his additional family and friends."
