Latest news with #MehmetAli
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Revealed: Why Arsenal legend 'rejected return to the club' as part of Mikel Arteta's staff
Arsenal 's search for a new Under 21 head coach has hit a stumbling block after a leading candidate has reportedly decided not to take up the role. The vacancy arose following Mehmet Ali's departure to Brentford earlier this summer. Ali guided the Gunners to an eighth-place finish in Premier League 2 last season. He joined Brentford to work as a first-team assistant manager under new boss Keith Andrews. Arsenal's hierarchy had been keen to swiftly replace him, with one of the names on the shortlist being a figure who remains hugely popular among the Emirates faithful. However, club icon Jack Wilshere has opted against a reunion with his boyhood club, according to BBC Sport. The 32-year-old reportedly held discussions with Arsenal officials after being approached about the post. However, after careful consideration, he amicably informed the club that he was not interested. Wilshere's reasoning was purely career-based; he is determined to take his first steps into senior management and is prioritising opportunities that will place him directly in a first-team coaching environment. Wilshere, who made more than 150 starts for Arsenal after coming through the academy, left the Emirates Stadium last season to join Norwich City's coaching staff under then-manager Johannes Thorup. At Carrow Road, he was initially appointed first-team coach before being promoted to interim head coach following Thorup's departure in April. He oversaw the final stretch of the Championship season before leaving when Liam Manning was appointed permanent boss. Since retiring in 2022, Wilshere has been fast-tracking his coaching career, earning his Pro Licence and quickly gaining experience both at academy level and in senior football.
New York Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Jack Wilshere will not make Arsenal return as Under-21s head coach
Jack Wilshere is no longer in contention to return to the Arsenal academy in a coaching role, with Max Porter currently the front-runner to be appointed as the club's U21 head coach. Wilshere, 33, who had previously been head coach of Arsenal's U18s, had been in discussions with the club over a potential return to coaching in the academy. Those talks were initially centred around a return to lead the U21s — Arsenal's previous U21 manager, Mehmet Ali, left the club in July to take up a first-team coaching role at Brentford. Advertisement Former Arsenal and England midfielder Wilshere is highly-regarded for his role in helping develop talents such as Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman. Many at Arsenal recognised the value of bringing a celebrated graduate of Hale End back into the academy in a prominent role to help bridge the gap between the academy and the first-team. Naturally, Wilshere was a candidate in the process to determine Ali's replacement — even if there were some reservations over bringing back a coach who had left the club relatively recently. Wilshere — who made 197 appearances as a player for Arsenal while also earning 34 international caps for England — left the Arsenal academy to join Norwich City as a first-team coach in October 2024. He went on to become interim head coach there, before departing at the end of the 2024-25 season. The nature of the role on offer at Arsenal, however, has changed. As well as being U21 head coach, Ali also managed Arsenal's U19 team in the UEFA Youth League. Arsenal's plan was to divide the role, with Porter leading the U21s, and Wilshere taking responsibility for the U19s and EFL trophy, as well as supporting the U21 staff. Thus far, Arsenal have not been able to come to an agreement with Wilshere on that basis, and as things stand he is not expected to be part of the new-look academy set-up. With Wilshere seemingly out of contention for the U21 position, Porter appears set for the role. The 39-year-old has been with Arsenal's academy since 2017, working his way up through the age groups. Following Ali's departure, Porter and fellow coach Ken Gillard took interim charge of the U21s. Porter is now set to step up to take the role on a permanent basis. () Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arsenal academy coach departs for senior role at Premier League side
Arsenal See Youth Coach Depart as Brentford Strengthen Backroom Team Foundations Shift at Hale End In the orchestration of modern football, the architects of success are often invisible. While headlines may focus on marquee signings and high-profile touchline battles, the development structures beneath the surface often go unheralded. Arsenal's loss of U21 coach Mehmet Ali to Brentford, as reported by Football London, is one such move that, while quiet, could ripple further than expected. Photo IMAGO Advertisement Ali's departure marks a significant change within Arsenal's academy framework. After joining the Gunners in 2022, his influence was notable during a phase of accelerated youth development, nurturing the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri. His side's run to the Premier League 2 quarter-finals last season, only to fall narrowly to Manchester City after extra time, was indicative of the competitive standard he helped to instil. Photo IMAGO Brentford's Gain Reflects Broader Intent Now stepping into senior football as part of Keith Andrews' backroom team at Brentford, Ali leaves behind a legacy of discipline, tactical insight and quiet ambition. The move aligns with Brentford's progressive ethos. Having recently appointed Andrews as head coach following Thomas Frank's exit to Spurs, the Bees are making shrewd internal investments as they reset for the season ahead. Photo IMAGO Advertisement Praise from Arteta Underscores Value Mikel Arteta was effusive in his praise of Ali's role within Arsenal's youth ecosystem. Speaking about Nwaneri's development, the Arsenal manager commented: 'Huge development. I think big credit to everybody working in the academy, the coaches starting with Jack (Wilshere), Mehmet (Ali), all the coaches around him…' Ali's influence is underscored by the trust shown by senior figures, with Arteta notably emphasising his role in preparing youth for the demands of top-flight football. Pathways Demand Continuity This loss is not just about one coach but reflects the broader challenge of maintaining continuity within academy setups. As clubs like Arsenal strive to bridge the gap between youth and elite level, consistency in developmental messaging is vital. Ali's departure may test that cohesion. Advertisement Our View – EPL Index Analysis The departure of Mehmet Ali will feel like a step backwards at a time when the club should be cementing progress at all levels. It is not about losing a headline figure, but about losing someone embedded in the fabric of youth development, someone trusted by Arteta and key to the emergence of top talents like Nwaneri. This is a club that has prided itself on 'The Arsenal Way', on seamless transitions from Hale End to the first team. But how sustainable is that pipeline if talented, influential coaches are allowed to leave just as their work begins to bear fruit? Brentford, let's be honest, are hardly a more prestigious destination. Their vision may be aligned, but Arsenal should have done more to keep Ali within the fold. It speaks to a wider frustration about how often key contributors are undervalued until they are gone. If this is a club genuinely committed to developing from within, then succession planning at academy level must be as robust as any senior recruitment strategy. Advertisement Letting Ali go might not cost Arsenal points on the board, but it may cost something more precious in the long run: identity, continuity and trust in a system designed to produce stars.
New York Times
03-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Arsenal U21 coach Mehmet Ali leaves to take up role at Brentford
Mehmet Ali has left his role as Arsenal Under-21 head coach to become part of Keith Andrews' backroom team at Brentford. Ali, 38, had been in charge of the Under-21s since 2022 after taking over from Kevin Betsy. Among the players to have featured for Ali in the Under-21s are Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who have both had breakthrough seasons in the first team with Lewis-Skelly signing a new contract with the club last week. Advertisement His side were knocked out of Premier League 2 play-off quarter-finals in extra-time last season after defeat by Manchester City. The move is the second coaching change at Arsenal since the end of the season following first-team coach Carlos Cuesta leaving to become Parma's head coach after five years working with Mikel Arteta. Ali will move to become part of Andrews' new team at the Gtech Stadium. Andrews was appointed last week as Brentford's new head coach on a three-year deal after Thomas Frank left to take charge of Tottenham Hotspur. Analysis by Art De Roche Mehmet Ali provided stability with the Under-21s squad, joining in 2022 after Arsenal had two U21 head coaches in as many seasons (Steve Bould and Kevin Betsy). In his three seasons in the role, Ali tended to use his players in a similar way to Mikel Arteta's first team, with the view of giving young players early exposure to the demands that would be put on them by the manager. This is best seen in his use of Lewis-Skelly. In his first season in charge, 2022-23, Lewis-Skelly played in midfield for the Under-18s as Jack Wilshere took them to the FA Youth Cup final, but he played at left-back for Ali's Under-21s. He also aided the development of Nwaneri who, alongside Lewis-Skelly, spent the entire 2023-24 season with Ali. His attention to detail in putting an emphasis on how Nwaneri moves into pockets of space or holds certain positions is an example of how he could help improve Brentford players. Ali has over a decade of experience in youth football, having spent time at Tottenham Hotspur and Reading too. Now 38, the opportunity to break into a first team environment will be a promising and deserved one.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arsenal U18 and U21 teams prepare for decisive games
Arsenal's under-21s and under-18s face important matches this Saturday, with both sides aiming to keep their seasons alive. Mehmet Ali's under-21s travel to face Manchester City at Joie Stadium in the Premier League 2 quarter-finals, with kick-off set for 6pm. Advertisement The young Gunners reached the last eight following a dramatic 2-1 win over Newcastle United, with Nathan Butler-Oyedeji opening the scoring from the penalty spot before Khayon Edwards converted a second spot-kick deep into stoppage time to clinch victory. While City topped the regular season table, they arrive in the quarter-finals having won just one of their last four matches in normal time. Earlier in the day, Adam Birchall's under-18 side visit Fulham at Motspur Park for an 11am kick-off in the penultimate round of the U18 Premier League South. Arsenal sit three points behind leaders Aston Villa, whom they host in their final fixture next week in what could be a title decider. Advertisement Arsenal extended their unbeaten league run to eight games last weekend in a dramatic 4-4 draw against Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal will take confidence from their two previous victories over the Cottagers this season, including an FA Youth Cup triumph at Motspur Park.
