Ciaran Toner is new Youth Development Phase Coach...
Rotherham United have added former Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient midfielder Ciaran Toner to the Academy coaching staff as Youth Development Phase Coach.The ex-Northern Ireland international has been appointed to a full time role with the Millers youth set up having previously been employed on a part-time basis.
Academy manager Garreth Barker was delighted with the appointment insisting that his new coach ticked all the boxes and will bring vital experience to the department.
“What I wanted was a very specific skill set to come and work for us that could lend their expertise and experience to our players in all age groups,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“Ciaran has worked for us for three seasons now as a part-time member of staff.
“He has a multitude of skills that will help us as an Academy and enable him to progress within the department.
“First and foremost he’s an excellent coach. He’s a very intelligent, thoughtful and articulate person and he’s obviously got fantastic knowledge of the game from his time playing to add to all of that.”
Barker also continued to say that he believes that Ciaran’s previous experience with the Millers will be beneficial to both his new coach and the club and is hoping it will help as he settles in to his new role.
“There’s also the continuity it gives us. Ciaran knows the club, the philosophy and the players and he knows the staff here too so it just aids in making it a seamless transition.
“We’re already seeing the benefits of the work that he has been doing with the Under 18’s and we’ve noticed that since he’s come into the building. It’s a good internal appointment and it allows us to continue to grow and strengthen as an Academy."