Mark Atkinson has set his stall out and is relishing his new role as Sunderland under-18s boss.
Andy Welsh’s move to Wigan Athletic last week saw a domino effect at the Academy of Light as wholesale change ensued.
Elliott Dickman takes over Welsh as the new under-23s boss and that has seen Mark Atkinson promoted to youth team manager.
With a trip to Blackburn Rovers up next for the young Black Cats on Saturday 4 February, Atkinson is relishing a new chapter in his career and is looking forward to his first outing this weekend.
“It was a bit of a shock if I’m being totally honest but I’m really pleased to be given the chance to step up,” he said.
“When I first started my full-time coaching with the club I was with the foundation phase so the fives to 11s.
“Then I stepped up to the under-12s and 16s before moving up to the youth team last summer so I have worked all through the phases.
“It’s something I have enjoyed doing and now there’s an opportunity to work with players who I have worked with in the past,” he continued.
“It has been a tough season for the lads in terms of the results but the performances have always improved and some of the improvements as individuals and as a team have been really pleasing.
“Hopefully we can turn some of the results into wins but the main thing at this age is development and making progress and that’s something we have seen in all of them.”