Coventry City are pleased to confirm the appointment of Mark Delaney as the Club’s new Lead Professional Development Phase Coach, taking charge of the Sky Blues Under 18s.
47-year-old Delaney is a highly rated and experienced coach, and can call upon an extensive playing career.
After playing for Carmarthen Town in his native Wales, Delaney played for Cardiff City from 1997 to 1999 before moving to Premier League side Aston Villa. The right-back would go on to 193 games in all competitions for the Club. Delaney was also capped 36 times by the Welsh national team.
After hanging up his boots in 2007, in 2008 he re-joined Villa as coach in their Academy. In 2015 he would be named as Senior Professional Development Phase Coach working with the Under 23s, leaving the Club in May 2022.
In 2021, he was in charge of a Villa team made up exclusively of Academy players which played Liverpool in an FA Cup third-round tie following a COVID outbreak in the first-team squad.
Delaney arrives at the Academy following the departure of Gary Mills, who has left the Club for a first-team coaching opportunity elsewhere – we wish Gary all the best for the future.
Academy Manager Dan Bolas said:
“I am delighted to welcome Mark to Coventry City, with him starting his new role with immediate effect.
“He is an experienced and highly regarded coach, whose knowledge and ability will greatly help the development of our young players in the Under 18s.”
Bolas added:
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Gary Mills for his work during his time with us and wish him the best for the future.”