Jonny Evans appointed as head of academy player development at Manchester United

Manchester United have officially announced that former centre-back Jonny Evans has taken on a new role at the club. Having made 241 appearances and won three Premier League titles during two spells, Evans is now United's "head of academy player development and loans".

Guiding the next generation

Evans, who represented Manchester United with distinction for many years, has returned to help nurture the next generation of talent following the end of his playing career. Having experienced loan spells himself, he now aims to make the pathway more meaningful for today’s prospects.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Evans said:

"I’m really looking forward to working with young players and helping them reach their potential. I went through the loan system myself and I know how crucial that experience can be for a player’s development. I’m determined to strengthen that pathway and help maintain Manchester United’s tradition of promoting youth into the first team."

From academy to first team: Evans’s development path

Evans began his football journey at the Manchester United training centre in Belfast at the age of nine. In 2004, at just 16, he joined the Manchester United Academy and quickly became one of the club’s most promising defenders. During the 2006–2007 season, he was loaned to Belgian side Royal Antwerp before moving on to Sunderland, gaining valuable experience in both the Championship and the Premier League.

Rise under Ferguson, continuity under Moyes and Van Gaal

After completing his loan spell at Sunderland, Evans became a permanent fixture in the Manchester United first team from the 2008–2009 season. He stayed until the 2015–2016 season, serving as a regular presence in United’s back line.

Under Sir Alex Ferguson, Evans won three Premier League titles and became a reliable part of the team thanks to his positional awareness, reading of the game and composure. After Ferguson’s retirement, he stayed at the club and continued to feature under both David Moyes and Louis van Gaal. Working under different tactical systems, Evans demonstrated leadership and adapted to changing demands.

Years at West Brom and Leicester

Evans transferred to West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 2015, spending three seasons at the club. In 2018, he joined Leicester City, spending five seasons as a key figure in defence and further cementing his reputation as a Premier League defender. In the summer of 2023, Evans returned to Manchester United. In 2024–2025, he featured in 13 matches across all competitions and scored once before retiring from professional football.

Praise from Wilcox: “A perfect role model”

Sporting director Jason Wilcox highlighted just how valuable Evans’s appointment could be with the following statement:

"Having only just ended his playing career, Jonny is the perfect role model for our young players. He knows exactly what it takes to succeed at Manchester United. That knowledge and experience will be an invaluable resource for our developing talent."

Timing aligns with Amorim’s youth-focused approach

Evans’s appointment coincides with head coach Ruben Amorim’s increasing trust in young players. Towards the end of the 2024–25 season, Amorim gave more opportunities to academy products in Premier League matches, focusing on the Europa League and fielding the youngest starting line-up ever seen in a European fixture for the club.

Loan system entrusted to Evans

While some of these youngsters will feature in pre-season friendlies, others will continue their progress under Jonny Evans’s guidance, as part of the club’s new loan strategy.