Liverpool Football Club has announced the appointment of Rob Page as the new head coach of their U21s team. The 50-year-old former Wales manager takes over from Barry Lewtas, who departed earlier this month after a long tenure with the academy. This move marks Page's return to coaching since his departure from the Welsh national team in June 2024.
Page brings a wealth of experience to the Liverpool academy, having managed Wales for almost four years, a period highlighted by significant achievements. He guided Wales to the Round of 16 at Euro 2020 and, most notably, led them to their first World Cup since 1958, when they qualified for the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Despite the historic qualification, Wales' performance in the World Cup itself was underwhelming, contributing to a decline in Page's standing. Prior to his senior national team role, Page also coached Wales' U21 side and gained managerial experience with Port Vale and Northampton Town. His playing career spanned 18 years, featuring over 550 appearances for clubs such as Watford, Sheffield United, and Coventry City, and he earned 41 caps for Wales.
Liverpool's academy director, Alex Inglethorpe, expressed his enthusiasm for Page's arrival, emphasizing the value of his experience in developing young players. Inglethorpe highlighted Page's success in transitioning players from the academy level to the senior squad during his time with Wales. He noted that several Liverpool academy players have already benefited from Page's guidance on the international stage. Inglethorpe believes Page's expertise will be a significant asset in helping young talents bridge the gap between academy football and the first team.
Page's appointment aligns with Liverpool's strategy of bringing in coaches with substantial managerial and playing experience. This approach is further exemplified by the anticipated arrival of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, the former Feyenoord, Rangers, and Besiktas head coach, who is set to replace John Heitinga. These additions reflect a broader restructuring within Liverpool's coaching staff, with changes occurring at both the first-team and academy levels. Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, the U18s coach, has also left the club to take up an assistant role at Huddersfield.
During his tenure with Wales, Page initially stepped in as caretaker manager in November 2020, following Ryan Giggs's leave. He secured two victories in the UEFA Nations League, which led to Wales' promotion to League A. Despite these successes, his time with Wales concluded after a series of disappointing results, including a failure to qualify for Euro 2024. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) officially ended Page's contract after a string of unimpressive friendly results, including a goalless draw against Gibraltar and a heavy defeat to Slovakia.
At Liverpool, Page could encounter familiar faces, having previously worked with players like left-back Owen Beck and forward Lewis Koumas within the Welsh national team setup. His primary responsibility will be to guide and develop the U21 squad, which includes promising talents such as Trey Nyoni, Kaide Gordon, Jayden Danns, James McConnell, Amara Nallo, Rio Ngumoha, and Isaac Mabaya.
