Sunderland AFC’s Under-18 lead professional development phase coach Paul Bryson will leave the club on Friday.
Bryson will depart after more than 15 years at the Academy of Light, during which time he progressed from a part-time coach to under-18 lead.
Over the years, he has overseen the development of countless academy graduates from Jordan Henderson to Martyn Waghorn.
Ahead of his departure in order to pursue a new challenge, head of coaching Lewis Dickman paid tribute to Bryson and wished him well in his future endeavours.
“Paul has been an integral cog in the academy wheel for so long and the decision he has taken to move onto a new coaching adventure is greatly respected,” said Dickman.
“His work ethic and dedication to the pieces in a player’s jigsaw has always been valued from everyone within the academy, and the hard yards and sacrifices he has made along the way are genuinely appreciated by me, and more importantly the club.”
He added: “I’m sure every player and member of staff will join me in thanking Paul for everything he has contributed over the years in order to help make the academy as successful as it has been.
“We all wish him the best of luck in his new adventure.”
The club would like to place on record its thanks to Paul for his sterling contribution over the past 15 years, and we all wish him well for the future.