Europe: George Boateng gets assistant coaching role at premier league side Aston Villa U18

The premier league new boys, Aston Villa have named their former player George Boateng as new assistant coach for the U-18 team

The Ghanaian born Netherlands international will serve as assistant to head coach Richard Beale following restructuring at the club’s Academy set up

George Boateng spent three years with Aston Villa where he had over century appearances and achieved greater highs such as reaching the FA Cup Final

According to the former midfielder, working with this age groups represents the ideal foundations to one day achieve his dream of becoming a manager

He said: “I made a decision a couple of years ago and knew if I wanted to be a good manager or coach then I need to learn my trade

“It’s the same as when you’re playing – you can’t just begin playing in the first team. You have to learn, all aspects of the game

“I spent a year at Blackburn Rovers, coaching the U13s through to the U18s. To be Assistant Coach for the U18s here is perfect

“It’s a club I know well and working with a specific age group. It’s a combination that focuses on performance and development

“It’s perfect for me in terms of the way I want to develop as a coach”

Boateng has also spoken of his love for the day-to-day work at Bodymoor Heath, admitting he struggles to switch off when outside the building

As well as planning and executing sessions, he is thinking long-term for his new students, and how he can progress them into one day becoming first-team players

He added: “If I have a day off, I can’t wait to get back in

“I’m planning and always thinking about what we can do when we’re next in

“It’s engaging, active and they’re long hours – which I enjoy

“The balance is between winning and developing, but it’s always eventually about the latter and getting players into that first team. That’s the emphasis”

His latest job is the third since he turned into coaching

He had his maiden in 2014 with Kelantan FC in the liga Malaysia where he lasted just a season

His second managerial appointment came last year when he was confirmed as head coach for Blackburn U-13 team

By: Kanyiri Suburu Lucio/@SuburuAbdulai