Sunderland Under-18 coach Paul Bryson to leave club for new challenge

Sunderland’s Under-18 lead coach Paul Bryson is set to leave the club for a new challenge, the Echo understands.
The Academy of Light.The Academy of Light.
The Academy of Light.

Bryson is understood to have handed his notice in, ahead of a move to the i2i International Soccer Academy, which has bases at Northumbria University and also in York.

Bryson was formerly lead phase coach for the U12s to U16s at Sunderland before being promoted into the U18 role in 2018.

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It has been a challenging 12-months for Sunderland's younger teams, neither the U18 or U23 side was able to register a league win. The club is yet to appoint a new academy manager following Paul Reid’s departure, interviews for the role were held last month.

Bryson, meanwhile, took charge of Sunderland Under-18's 2-0 defeat to Derby County in the U18 Premier League North game on Saturday.

Although the young Black Cats improved in the second half, they never really tested the Derby keeper and County were content to take the game by the two goal margin.

The first set-back came on five minutes when Bartosz Cybulski fired low into the bottom corner. The second came 12 minutes later when Max Bardell rose unmarked to head in a corner.

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In the second half, Sunderland did improve but County defended well and came back to take control and settle for the two goal win.

Bryson said: "We were punished by two soft goals. We must be more clinical."

Sunderland: Bond; Armstrong, Triallist (Watts 45), Almond, Baggs, Krakue, Singh, Turner Cooke, Taylor, Dicchjo, Okoronkwo.

Subs not used: Richardson gk, Williams, Johnson.

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