York City unveil their new manager

David Webb has been appointed the new manager of York City.

The former Tottenham and Southampton coach will take charge of the team from Monday with his first game being next weekend’s trip to Woking.

Webb’s appointment by club chairman Glen Henderson comes just over two weeks after his hugely controversial sacking of promotion-winning manager John Askey.

Michael Morton joins from Leeds United’s academy to become Webb’s assistant manager.

It is Webb’s first appointment as a first team manager, although he has backroom connections with a host of top clubs.

He was academy coach at AFC Wimbledon, Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur and Millwall.

“At Crystal Palace he was noted for the discovery of Wilfried Zaha, and talent identification has been a skill that he has been credited with throughout his career,” York City said in a statement.

He then moved into scouting and recruitment roles with Southampton and Bournemouth, before returning to Spurs.

Important signings

Webb was the head of first team recruitment at Bournemouth, supporting Eddie Howe during their promotion to the Premier League.

“He played a key role in several important signings such as now-England star Callum Wilson,” the club said.

Mauricio Pochettino, who previously worked with Webb at Southampton, brought him into his backroom team at Tottenham Hotspur as head of elite identification and player development.

Webb has no qualms about taking up his first managerial post. “I’ve worked with some real world class coaches – Eddie Howe and Pochettino – I think I’m more than ready now to take on the challenge,” he told York City’s YouTube channel.

He says he’s ready for the City challenge. “We’ve analysed a lot of games. We’ve watched some games live as well. And we feel there’s a lot of strength in the team.

“Short term we’re looking to improve results. But we want to build something for the future.”

The UEFA ‘A’ licensed coach worked as a consultant for Hoffenheim and Real Betis before joining Östersund FK as Technical Director in 2019, a role which also saw him assist with coaching.

He has an honours degree in sports science and a master’s degree in sports psychology.

His most recent position was head of football operations at Huddersfield Town which he left in 2020.

Webb’s assistant Michael Morton has joined from his role as youth development phase lead at Leeds United which he has held since 2018.

After starting his coaching career at Leeds in 2005, he moved to Manchester City working in academy coaching and talent identification.

“A young but vastly experienced coach, he continued to work in youth development as head of i2i academy during a spell in which the York-based academy produced nine professional footballers,” the club said.

“During this time, he got a taste of senior first team management at Tadcaster Albion.”

York City chairman Glen Henderson said: “I am incredibly pleased to welcome David and Michael to the club as our new first team management team.

“The key to this appointment was finding someone who aligns with our long-term vision for the club, and David was the standout candidate from the start.

“He is talented and experienced across all aspects of managing a football club, from first team management, player development, scouting, coaching, motivation, and with an excellent understanding of how the football business works.

“He brings with him a talented coach in Michael, who has a track history of playing a key part in the development of top-class footballers.”