Gradi for youth “supremo” role?

Throughout his career he has been linked with a job at the FA overseeing youth development and with Gradi moving away from his role as first team manager this week it is inevitable that he will get linked with a variety of jobs in the media.

In the past he has turned down the option to manage Benfica and also the post of FA Technical Director in favour of continuing his work at Crewe. He is highly regarded as one of Europe`s top coaches at youth level and it would be interesting to see if he could be tempted away now.

Of course, Gradi has taken up the position of Technical Director at Crewe and will work as a “mentor” for new first team coach Steve Holland. He will still have a pivotal role to play at the club and it is likely that it would take a lot to persuade him to move on to pastures new.

In 24 years at the club he has transformed the club by introducing a youth policy and setting up a successful academy at the club. The state of the art facilities are testament to the sterling work he has carried out over his tenure as first team manager.

The club is now regarded as the flagship academy for lower league clubs to model themselves on. His experience and knowledge of the game at youth level in England is second to none and with his change in circumstances the FA may make a renewed bid to secure his services.