http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/andries-jonker-appointed-academy-manager
Anyone know much about the guy? He's certainly got some impressive credentials - he's been assistant at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg (where he is currently), and has also spent a lot of time working with the Dutch national youth teams. Taking over from Liam Brady who's done a pretty good job for some time now, it's interesting to see Wenger take yet more influence from German football (even if the guy is Dutch)
Andries Jonker - Arsenal's new academy head
posted on 20/1/14
Hopefully it will see an overhaul of the coaching staff in the summer. Carl Laraman is awful, and don't rate Gatting very highly either.
posted on 20/1/14
That AFC Academy guy on Twitter thinks he's a bit of a joke in Germany
posted on 20/1/14
^^^ probably jealous he didnt get the gig eh
posted on 20/1/14
That AFCAcadamy is a twát tbf. Not sure, but he seems very similar to AFCspy or whatever that geezer on here is called
posted on 20/1/14
would be nice if the academy could produce a decent striker or two, instead of a abundance of midfielders.
posted on 20/1/14
I know this about Jonker;
He's very highly regarded within the game.
Bayern Munich were keen to have him remain "on staff", although he was allegedly very specific about the role & influence he'd have at the club, he eventually left of course...
He's Louis van Gaal's best mate.
He had a lot of offers from all over Europe, from various coaching roles, to actual club management.
He was appointed by Gazidis and NOT Wenger (that's an interesting one imo)
posted on 20/1/14
That AFC Academy guy on Twitter thinks he's a bit of a joke in Germany
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I'm certainly no expert on the fella. But as I understand it, there was a degree of friction between Jonker and Munich (who hold a lot of sway in Germany) about him leaving the club's coaching staff.
He's apparently a very meticulous character, an "all about the small details" type (make up your own mind if that's a good or a bad thing).
Many of the young players at Munich and Wolfsburg speak VERY highly of him.
I think the role and trust Arsenal have given him is obviously the longterm plan that suits both parties.