Because Diarmuid O’Carroll is leaving Newcastle United, the team will need to find a new key player.
The club announced that O’Carroll has left Newcastle’s youth program to become a senior member of Sparta Prague’s first-team coaching staff.
The Irishman became the head coach of Newcastle United’s Under-21 team in September of last year. He led the Young Magpies to ninth place in Premier League 2 and the quarterfinals of the National League Cup.
The 38-year-old took over as permanent Under-21s head coach from Ben Dawson. Former Sunderland boss Jack Ross and Neil Winskill had been in charge temporarily.
In 2024–25, Sparta Prague played in the Champions League. This season, they will be in the Conference League instead because they finished fourth in the Czech top flight.
An formal statement from Newcastle United confirms the exit.
O’Carroll is the first confirmed player to leave Newcastle this summer. Other players who are leaving include those whose contracts end on June 30 or senior players like Darren Eales and Paul Mitchell who are planning to leave.
“Newcastle United Under-21s lead coach Diarmuid O’Carroll has joined Czech First League team Sparta Prague as a first team coach,” the club said in a statement.
“The 38-year-old took charge of Newcastle’s under-21 team in September 2024 and led them to ninth place in Premier League 2 the following year.”
“He follows in the footsteps of Ben Dawson and Graeme Carrick, who recently went from working with Newcastle United’s youth team to coaching the senior team.”
The head of NUFC’s academy reacts to the exit
Steve Harper, who is in charge of the school at Newcastle United, said, “I’d like to thank Diarmuid for his time with us leading the under-21 group.”
“The chance to work in Europe is exciting for him, and we wish him the best of luck as he continues to coach.”
“In the past year, he is the third professional development phase coach to be hired from our Academy for a senior football role with the first team. This shows that our Academy development pathway works for both players and staff.”
“The search for a new lead coach for the Under-21s is under way.”
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