Leeds United academy coach Michael Morton has departed Thorp Arch to become assistant manager at York City, as per Phil Hay.
The Lowdown: Morton’s career
Morton has held various coaching roles over the last 20 years, with his first stint at Leeds coming back in 2003 as a lead coach for six years.
Since then, he has also been a lead coach with Manchester City, academy manager with i2i Football Academy and head coach at Tadcaster Albion before returning to the Whites in 2018. However, he has now left the Yorkshire club to pursue another opportunity in the National League.
The Latest: Morton departs Leeds
York City confirmed on Friday that David Webb has taken over as first-team manager.
Hay, who has been covering the World Cup for The Athletic, relayed the Leeds-related news, with Morton set to assist Webb at the York Community Stadium.
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The Verdict: A blow for Leeds
Morton has plenty of experience when it comes to working in Leeds’ academy, so this update on his departure isn’t ideal, but one that is totally understandable given the opportunity which has arisen.
The Whites have plenty of exciting young talent at Thorp Arch, with Morton and co helping a number of players progress into the first team at Elland Road in recent years.
Sam Greenwood and Cody Drameh are just two examples of players who have graduated from the academy ranks to subsequently become first-team squad members at Leeds.
The Whites may now be on the lookout for a new academy coach following this news, and hopefully Morton will have a successful period at York alongside Webb.