Brighton appoint new academy head

The 38-year-old has worked for the FAI since 2005 after joining the Irish international set up from Peterborough United, where he rose through the ranks of the club’s academy, holding every position at Posh’s highly regarded youth development programme.

Albion’s head of football operations David Burke welcomed the appointment. He said, “John has all of the credentials required for this position. He has great experience of setting up an academy, as he was instrumental in the development of both Peterborough United’s academy and the Republic of Ireland’s talent development programme.

“Now the club has achieved academy status, John will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the club’s player development from the youngest age group right up to and including the youth team - from where the challenge for the scholars will be progress to our development squad and eventually into the first team.”

Morling, an ex-Norwich City trainee, in addition to working at Peterborough academy, also had spells as first-team coach and reserve-team manager.

He became player development manager for the Football Association of Ireland in 2005 and three years later was appointed Republic of Ireland manager for the under-15 and under-16 teams.

More recently he has coached the Under-17 side and upon his arrival at the Amex, he will be reunited with Albion youth team coach Simon Rusk – who was an Academy player with the London Road club when Morling was manager.