Danny Rohl really wants Neil Thompson to continue working with Sheffield Wednesday’s first team.
Speaking to The Star, Rohl admitted that he hopes the U21 manager will stay with him this season after making the step up following Xisco Munoz’s sacking.
After previously managing in the National League, Neil Thompson joined Sheffield Wednesday way back in 2011. Thompson has enjoyed stints with both the academy and the first team over the last decade, but primarily worked as the U21s head coach prior to Xisco’s exit.
Thompson took up the role as caretaker manager prior to Rohl’s arrival and has since been working in the senior set-up alongside the German.
While the 60-year-old has plenty of work to do with the youth team, who currently sit second in the Professional Development League North, Rohl is eager to keep hold of Thompson.
Speaking to The Star, Rohl said: “At the the moment Chris is taking the set pieces – he’s very strong in this part – and he has support from Neil. This is also an option for the next weeks and months, to take both of them to improve the set pieces. They’ve done a good job so far, and you could see that against Rotherham. It gives me a good feeling.
“With Neil, I said at the start that I wanted to have a link with the U21s and at the moment he’s very close to us. Hopefully he’ll stay with us for the first team, but like I say, I want to have that link to the U21s and Neil has done it very well over the last few weeks.”
Can Danny Rohl make use of Neil Thompson’s U21s?
Danny Rohl has already confirmed that he is looking to bring in new set piece and goalkeeping coaches, which could allow Neil Thompson more time with the U21s.
However, Rohl’s claim that he will look to link up further with the youth side is very promising.
The Owls have produced the likes of Mark Beevers, Liam Palmer and Jamie Vardy and it would be great to see Rohl take a further look at the youth ranks and help bring them into the first team.
Sheffield Wednesday currently the second highest average age in the Championship and it would be nice to see that brought down by a few exciting young prospects.