Neil Ryan

Neil Ryan
Personal information
Date of birth (1975-01-27) 27 January 1975 (age 49)
Place of birth Luton, England
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Defender
Team information
Current team
 England U17 (manager)
Youth career
1991–1995 Luton Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996 Richmond Kickers 9 (2)
1998 Worcester Wildfire 15 (3)
1998 → Cape Cod Crusaders (loan) ? (1)
1998–2000 Wichita Wings (indoor) 58 (6)
2000 Worcester Wildfire 3 (0)
2000 Cape Cod Crusaders 3 (0)
2001 Portland Timbers 6 (0)
2001–2003 Altrincham 47 (2)
2003 Trafford 1 (0)
Managerial career
2018–2022 Manchester United U18
2022 Manchester United U23 (assistant)
2022–2023 England U18
2023–2024 England U16
2024– England U17
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Neil Ryan is an English football head coach for the England U16s and former player who played as a defender. He played professionally in the United States USL A-League.

The son of former footballer Jimmy Ryan, Neil started his early football career playing at Luton Town in 1991 he was a youth team player for two seasons and eventually turned professional in 1994. His professional contract with Luton ended in 1995 and he then moved to the United States and signed with the Richmond Kickers of the USISL Select League. He then moved through several teams in succession. In 1998, he signed with the Worcester Wildfire, but also played a few games on loan with the Cape Cod Crusaders of the USISL D-3 Pro League. In the fall of 1998, Ryan moved indoors with the Wichita Wings of the National Professional Soccer League. He spent two indoor seasons with the Wings.[1] In 2001, Ryan finished his American career with the Portland Timbers.[2]

In November that year, Ryan returned to England and joined Altrincham F.C. of the semi-professional Northern Premier League.[3] He made his first appearance on 12 December 2001 in the Northern Premier League Challenge Cup. Ryan left Altrincham in September 2003.[4]

In July 2018, after 15 years working through the age groups of U11 to U16 within the Manchester United academy, Ryan was appointed as the head coach of the club's under-18 side.[5]

On 13 May 2022, Ryan was appointed a national coach with England men's teams after 19 years at Manchester United.[6] On 16 August 2022, it was confirmed that Ryan would take charge of the England U18s.[7] On 18 August 2023, he moved across to take charge of the England U16s.[8]

On 23 August 2024, Ryan took charge of the England U17s[9]

  1. ^ "Crusaders need to advance". Archived from the original on 15 September 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  2. ^ 2001 Portland Timbers
  3. ^ Altrincham F.C. News Archive, 4 to 13 December 2001
  4. ^ Altrincham FC Fans' Forum, 19 September 2003
  5. ^ "Neil Ryan takes charge of United's under-18s". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  6. ^ "Ryan and Rusk join as national coaches". England Football. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  7. ^ "England youth team coaches appointed for 2022-23 season". 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  8. ^ "England men's development team coaches confirmed for 2023-24 season". 18 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  9. ^ "England men's coaching teams confirmed". England Football. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.