Nottingham Forest is delighted to announce that Wes Morgan and Lewis Grabban have returned to Trentside to work alongside existing team members and former players Andy Reid and Julian Bennett.
Continuing to establish itself in the Premier League, adding former players to the coaching and scouting staff is a small part of a very wide and exciting vision for the Club.
The Club is implementing a long-term strategy geared towards providing a holistic, first-class experience to all of our young players. Building on the excellent work already undertaken over many years, the Club is continually finding ways to enhance its outstanding reputation of developing talent.
As well as seeking to produce and improve first-class players, there is a strong focus on developing our people, be it elite football coaches, recruiters and leaders. The programmes for staff are designed to support them extensively in their personal journeys.
Head of Football Development & Talent Management, Craig Mulholland said: “We strongly believe that successful talent systems contain a mix of former players, educators, professional coaches and multi discipline staff with extensive experience of talent development.
“The former players add value by knowing the elite level that the young players are aspiring to. They also understand the history and culture of the Club and city, which they can share with the young players. We are delighted to put in place clear plans for the guys to help them on their journey, working with the outstanding staff team we already have at the Club, and ultimately enhancing the provision for our talent.”
Lewis Grabban scored 56 goals for Forest during a four-year spell and now joins as a Professional Development Phase (PDP) coach, working initially with the U18s alongside Warren Joyce, Tom Mallinson, Sam Darlow and Owen Coyle. The Club’s focus on individual player development will mean that Lewis will also spend time with the B Team, sharing his experiences with both groups.
On his return, Grabban said: “I’m so pleased to be back at a Club that gave me so many great memories as a player. I am looking forward to working alongside some great coaches like Sam and Owen, and using my experience to help our young players develop. We have some really exciting talent in the PDP and I am excited to watch their development.”
After making close to 300 appearances in the Garibaldi across two spells as a player, Andy Reid returned to Forest in 2020 and continues to play a significant role, as a Transition Coach and Scout, in both a scouting and coaching capacity. His role is a modern, new and exciting position aimed at managing our transitioning talents during a difficult time for players. Reid will drive our new innovative Talented Player Performance Programme (TPPP) working closely with the B Team, First Team, our Emerging Talent Team and Players Pathways Team.
On working at Forest, Reid said: "The Academy setup at Forest has always been strong, but it has been great to witness the strides we have made in the last few years. We have fantastic coaches throughout the Club, and I'm delighted to play a part in preparing our young players for the transition into the First Team."
Wes Morgan, who was born in Nottingham and played over 400 times for The Reds, joins the Club as a national scout. His primary goal will be to assist Dan Kelly’s newly formed PDP & Emerging Talent Recruitment Team, helping to find exciting talent for our full-time squads.
Morgan said: “Growing up in Nottingham and spending a significant period of my career at Forest, I have a big affinity for the Club. Working alongside the talented staff and coaches, I’m looking forward to helping identify emerging talent in the local area and beyond.
“The Club is proud to have consistently developed players from the Academy that go on to have successful professional careers with the First Team and it’s our job to ensure that trend continues. Dan has created a modern, dynamic recruitment team that is connected to the market and utilises modern technologies to combine traditional scouting with footage and data – I can’t wait to contribute to this.”
Like Morgan, Julian Bennett also grew up in Nottingham and spent time at the Forest Academy before going on to enjoy five years as a professional at The City Ground. Rejoining in 2020, Bennett works within the Foundation Phase of the Academy, ensuring our youngest kids fall in love with football and Forest.
Bennett said: "I am passionate about supporting the development of our youngest players, introducing them to our unique way of working. Having been on the journey myself, I understand the highs and lows associated with academy football, my job is to ensure our young players get the most out of every day that they are representing our great Club."
We wish all the staff the best for the upcoming season and look forward to seeing how they contribute to success in our Emerging Talent, Player Pathways, B Team and Academy spaces.