Newcastle United make shock announcement as coach makes decision to step down from role
Newcastle United were rocked this morning by the decision of Under-21s head coach Adam Lawrence to step down from his position.
Lawrence joined the Magpies in September 2025 to take over the head coach position for the Under-21s after a successful spell as head coach of Manchester United's Under-18s.
Results haven't been going Newcastle's way for the Under-21's, and it seems that the 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough on Friday was the last straw for Lawrence.
Robbie Stockdale will fill in while the club looks for a permanent replacement.
Steve Harper made an announcement thanking Adam Lawrence this morning
Academy head Steve Harper told the Newcastle United official site that they wish Adam Lawrence the best in his next step.
"I'd like to thank Adam for his time with us leading the Under-21 group.
"We wish him the best of luck as he pursues the next step in his coaching career."
Our Under-21s team performances have always puzzled us
It's always baffling to us how our Under-21s are mediocre at best but mostly pretty poor. Our academy is filled with exciting talent; we have several youngsters on the verge of the first team, and yet it just never seems to click as a team.
It could be that we have our top stars loaned out or being involved with the first team, but surely other Under-21s sides have similar issues.
Hopefully, it's something that will improve as the club grows, but we suppose the main thing is that the players in the Under-21s develop into first-team quality stars. You don't need to be part of a successful team to do that. Though it can't hurt.
