Arsenal begin process to appoint new U21s boss after Mehmet Ali joins Brentford backroom staff | OneFootball

Gunners may look to promote from within but external candidates will be considered

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Ali has been at Arsenal since January 2022, joining the club as an assistant for the Under-23 side.

He was promoted that summer to the role of Under-21 head coach and Professional Development Phase lead.

Ali led Arsenal’s Under-21s to a fifth-place finish in Premier League 2 Division One during the 2023-24 campaign.

Ali has worked with a number of Arsenal’s top youngsters during his time at the club, including Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

He secured his UEFA Pro Licence last summer and is now set to work in a first-team environment after agreeing to move to Brentford.

Ali will be part of new head coach Andrews’ backroom staff, which is currently being assembled after Thomas Frank left to join Tottenham.

Arsenal have begun the process of replacing Ali and they will consider internal as well as external candidates.

The club have a history of promoting from within, as shown by Ali being promoted three years ago after being an assistant.

Max Porter worked as an assistant to Ali last season and also took charge of the Under-19s during their UEFA Youth League games. Ken Gillard was also part of Ali’s team and has previously worked with Arsenal’s Under-23 side and as a loan coach.

Adam Birchall is Arsenal’s head coach for their Under-18 side and has been coaching at the club for nine years.