West Ham have confirmed that Kevin Keen will be replacing Jack Collison as Academy Under 18s Lead Coach.
The opportunity came as Collison has decided to leave the aforementioned post in order to take up a unique opportunity abroad.
The Hammers’ U18s players are in safe hands though, as Keen has 18 years of coaching experience– nine of which have come in various roles across the first team, reserves and youth teams at West Ham.
His wealth of experience also includes being first team manager at Colchester United and first team coach at Liverpool under Kenny Dalglish.
The 52-year-old’s last role was at Southend United, but he is now returning to West Ham to take up where Collison has left off in developing the club’s young players – who will hopefully go on to wear the claret and blue shirt for the first team.
Keen has plenty of experience in doing that himself, becoming a popular figure when he represented the Hammers 278 times between 1986 and 1993.
There is a plethora of talent in the academy he will be hoping to get the best out of, including striker Amadou Diallo.
A selection of Twitter reaction to his appointment, including posts from delighted West Ham supporters, can be seen below:
He’s a amazing coach
— Leon (@djleon1983) June 13, 2019
Great appointment…best of luck Kevin!
— Paul (@72Sawry) June 13, 2019
Welcome home Kevin
Obviously gutted about Jack leaving but wish him all the luck in the world on his new adventures— Mary (@ZaynafamilyMary) June 13, 2019
good old Kev
— Andy Walsh (@andrewrwalsh) June 13, 2019
Absolute class coach and what a player he was ! Welcome back !
— Paolo (@ellingford_paul) June 13, 2019
Good luck Kevin great to have you back coaching our future players.
— Michael Oaks (@mikoaks) June 13, 2019
superb news
— Bienvenue Kikwit RIP GRUMPY CAT (@BeatTheBatak) June 13, 2019
Brilliant appointment.
— Dan (@WestHamLad) June 13, 2019