Academy boss ‘happy doing what he’s doing…’
John Pemberton has spoken of his pride at working with youngsters, potentially playing down his immediate managerial aspirations.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s FA Youth Cup final second leg, Pemberton commented on his involvement with all ages at United’s Shirecliffe academy, whilst also hoping to implement strategies for up to five years.
Due to his success with the youth team this season, and Micky Adams’ recent departure, Pemberton, who was interviewed for the managerial post at Rotherham United job two years ago, was heavily linked with the vacant position at Bramall Lane.
‘I enjoy doing what I do and I have had a lot of experience within the game, working with kids as young as six years old right up to first-team level; working as Academy coach to first-teamers, working with the England set-up I have always tried to be the best I can be.
‘I like to think that I can make a difference whether that is through working with seven year olds on a Thursday night or with the 18year olds in the Academy squad at Manchester United on Monday.
‘I work with the Academy coaches at Shirecliffe at every age group, swap them around the age groups if I feel that it is beneficial because our remit is to produce players.
We are trying to change things here and if we still have the same ethos in five years I would like to think that we can have built a conveyor belt of players like we did at Nottingham Forest.’
Pemberton has had huge success at this level, with Crystal Palace, as well as Nottingham Forest providing a plethora of talented youngsters during his tenure.