What next for Arsenal U18s as Kwame Ampadu joins Thierry Henry at Monaco?

Arsenal U18s will have to appoint a new coach after Kwame Ampadu was named as part of Thierry Henry’s coaching staff at Monaco.

Ampadu, a former Arsenal youth player himself, coached at schoolboy level before being put in charge of the U18s two years ago.

In the ensuing period, Ampadu has managed to get Arsenal U18s performing more consistently in the league, while they also reached the final of the FA Youth Cup last season only to be heavily beaten by Chelsea.

Some of Ampadu’s tactical decisions in those games against Chelsea were bizarre, but, overall, his tenure in charge of the young Gunners was largely positive, even though it must be stressed that he has had some very talented players at his disposal.

Arsenal may not have won the U18 league under Ampadu but they at least challenged for the title and played some excellent football in the process.

The likes of Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe and Joe Willock amongst many others all benefited hugely from working under Ampadu.

Now, though, it is time to move on and Arsenal U18s will have a different man in the dugout for the game at home to Reading in a week’s time.

There is a possibility that an external appointment could be made in due course but in the short term the most likely scenario is that Trevor Bumstead, the current U16 coach, will step up to oversee developments.

Bumstead, who holds a UEFA A licence, joined Arsenal in 2014 and previously worked for West Ham United and Southend United.

Current U18 assistant coach Ken Gillard is another potential option.