Former West Ham United midfielder Jack Collison has returned to the club as the Academy of Football’s new U16 manager.
Collison played for the club between 2008 and 2014, making 121 appearances, and has now returned to the academy from which he graduated in order to help develop the next generation of young Hammers.
Having had his career cut short through injury, the former Wales international has since taken up a career in coaching and says he cannot wait for the next chapter in his managerial career with his former club.
Speaking on whufc.com, he said: “It feels fantastic. Obviously I have many great memories with the Club and I’ve been through an awful lot, some good times and some bad times.
“I came through as a kid into the reserves and obviously made my mark on the first team so to come back in a coaching capacity is really exciting and I just can’t wait to get going now.”
After short loan spells at AFC Bournemouth and Wigan Athletic and permanent stints with Ipswich Town and Peterborough, Collison hung up his boots in February 2016, but had already firmly began his coaching career.
Collision, 27, had already launched his own soccer school, started a sports media degree, attained a UEFA B licence and taken the role of U21 manager at Peterborough United.
“I’ve been learning my trade and now I feel I’m in a good position to try and pass on what I have learned and nurture the future products of the club.”
