Quinton Fortune confirmed as Man United youth coach

Former Bafana Bafana star Quinton Fortune has been placed in charge of English giants Manchester United’s Under-23 team, alongside another former Red in Neil Wood.

The 42-year-old has been closely attached to his former club since hanging up his boots, serving as ambassadors over the last few years.

The club confirmed a restructuring of the coaching setup in the youth side on Thursday, revealing that Wood will take over as head coach with Fortune serving as his assistant.

“The club is delighted to announce the appointment of Neil Wood as lead coach of the Under-23s; he will be assisted by Quinton Fortune,” Man United said in a statement.

Manchester United

Quinton Fortune scores big coaching role

Fortune joined United as a player in 1999, signing from Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid , and went on to make over 100 appearances for the club before departing in 2006.

He turned out for four other clubs, including Bolton Wanderers and Doncaster Rovers before hanging up his boots in 2010.

After retirement, he completed his coaching badges in 2013 and took up his first major role at Cardiff City’s Under-21 side as assistant to former teammate and current United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær in 2014.

“Everyone is happy for him, and rightly so because he’s done a fantastic job,” Fortune said of the Norwegian’s permanent appointment as United manager in May.

Quinton Fortune

Fortune has also been involved with Bafana Bafana in a coaching capacity, temporarily serving as assistant to Stuart Baxter in 2017 during an unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign.

Ahead of the current Afcon 2019 tournament, the Brit had tried to rope him back into the setup, but without much success.

“He knows African football well, and this one will be “assistant-slash-scout”. So we’ll send Quinton to look at some games. He knows what we want,” Baxter said of Fortune at the time.

“You know there’s not many. I mean i can get plant of people who know football. But not someone who has the inside track.”

Stuart Baxter

Man United keep it in the family

Fortune’s appointment at United is the latest in a string of former players being handed coaching roles at the club.

The senior team is headed by Solskjær, who is assisted by ex-midfielders Mike Phelan and Michael Carrick, while the likes of Nicky Butt have also been involved in football development, and will now take on an increased role in the Under-23s, working closer with Fortune and Wood.

“Myself, Neil and Quinton have long-standing connections with Manchester United and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our roles that we will pass on to the young players.

“It is such an exciting time for the Academy with Ole as first-team manager, who truly believes in the development of homegrown talent.

“It was a great source of pride that three Academy graduates made their first-team debuts last season. As a group, we will now look to build on this success.”

Quinton Fortune