Club news

Weir Eager To Help The Next Generation

By James Hilsum • 11 July 2018

Brighton & Hove Albion’s first-ever pathway development manager David Weir is eager to help the next generation of young players at the club, after his appointment was confirmed on Monday.
 
The former Scotland international will oversee the development of the club’s players who are out on loan, and felt this position was the next logical step in his career.
 
He said, “I met the chairman, Paul Barber, Paul Winstanley and Simon Rusk, and it just felt like the right fit for me.
 
“The environment here is an ideal one for me; there are some very good people here and I am really excited to be helping the young players at the club.
 
“I’ve always enjoyed working with younger players, and my job, along with other staff, will be determining where and when players will go out on loan.
 
“The gap between the first team and under-23 football in particular is getting bigger, and that gap can be bridged somewhat by sending players out on loan.”
 
Weir had an extensive playing career, which included eight years in the Premier League with Everton. He highlighted the changing landscape of the game since his playing days, but said the same fundamental principles remain.
 
“The game is always changing and I would say the Premier League is more of a world league now with more players arriving from all across the globe.
 
“It is constantly changing, but you can’t get away from the basics and a lot of the same principles apply.
 
“It may be more challenging for younger players to break into the first team, but the opportunities are still there.”
 
The Scot also paid tribute to Chris Hughton and the job he’s done at the club, and is eager to help the Seagulls boss as much as possible.
 
“He’s a good man and has had a very successful managerial career so far.
 
“He has done an outstanding job here. To get the team out of a very competitive Championship division is a huge challenge in itself, but he has since stabilised the team in the Premier League, which is another fantastic achievement.
 
“I don’t know him very well yet, but I want to help him as much as possible in my role.”