The Newcastle Jets today confirm that Ian Crook will join the club as High Performance Manager. As High Performance Manager, Crookâs role will encompass a variety of responsibilities, with a predominant focus on youth development.
The Newcastle Jets today confirm that Ian Crook will join the club as High Performance Manager. The former Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City midfielder brings an abundance of experience to the defending Hyundai A-League Champions, having made over 400 appearances as a professional player, as well as spending almost a decade in top flight coaching in Australia and Japan.
Crook, 45, is a former coach of Newcastle United in the National Soccer League competition, and has now returned to the Hunter after spells as Assistant coach at Sydney FC in the inaugural season of the Hyundai A-League and Avispa Fukuoka in Japan.
As High Performance Manager, Crook-s role will encompass a variety of responsibilities, with a predominant focus on youth development. The current agreement will see the English-born coach stay on board with the Jets for the next 3 years.
Newcastle Jets CEO John Tsatsimas believes the appointment of Crook will be of great benefit to the club, particularly leading into the 2009 AFC Champions league competition.
âWe are very pleased to have Ian coming in as part of the coaching staff here at the Newcastle Jets,â he said. âWe believe with his experience and skills that it will add a significant amount to our already talented football department.â
âAfter having secured Gary van Egmond and Mark Jones to long-term deals, Ian-s appointment further solidifies our goal to emphasise youth development and create career pathways for footballers in the Hunter region.â
âHe will also work closely with our Youth Team coach Craig Deans to give guidance to our youngsters coming through the ranks.â
âIn addition to his general coaching expertise, Ian has invaluable experience in Asia, coming to us from Japan. As we all know, Asia is the way forward for football in Australia and our club plans on being a big part of that.â
âWith this latest development in our football department, our club has demonstrated a willingness to excel in generating footballers at the elite level in Australia,â Mr. Tsatsimas stated.
Ian Crook Profile
Date of birth January 18, 1963
Place of birth Romford, England
Playing History
Year Club Appearances (Goals)
1980-1986 Tottenham Hotspur 20 (1)
1986-1997 Norwich City 342 (18)
1997-1998 Sanfrecce Hiroshima 24 (4)
1998-2000 Northern Spirit 24 (2)
Coaching History
Year Club
1999-2001 Northern Spirit (Asst.)
2001-2004 Newcastle United
2004 American Samoa
2004 Australia Under-20-s (Asst.)
2005-2006 Sydney FC (Asst.)
2007-2008 Avispa Fukuoka (Asst.)
