Interview'I have had a brilliant decade at the Academy, with Wembley the standout'
Departing Liverpool U18s boss Marc Bridge-Wilkinson will leave the club this summer with memories for life.
On Saturday, Bridge-Wilkinson took charge of the U18s for the final time in a competitive match as the young Reds were beaten by their Everton counterparts in the last league game of 2024-25.
Three friendly fixtures will follow before he bids farewell to Liverpool after 10 years of service at the Academy during which he helped to guide several youngsters on to success at senior level.
The highlight was the pride he felt at Wembley in February 2024, when Academy graduates including Conor Bradley, Jayden Danns, Caoimhin Kelleher, James McConnell and Jarell Quansah contributed to an unlikely win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final.
After finishing the current campaign at the weekend, Liverpoolfc.com caught up with Bridge-Wilkinson to reflect on his time at the club as its conclusion nears. Read the chat below.
On the derby defeat in the final league game of 2024-25…
Between both boxes I thought we were really good with the ball and most of the time we played with a really nice, fluid style, and we improved it in the second half by getting on the outside of them even more. But ultimately we found it tough to keep them out and keep them away from our goal and we paid the price for that.
On his frustration at the amount of goals conceded being a big issue during the campaign…
The story of the season is we have conceded too many and we haven't scored enough. Both boxes, going forward it needs to improve and ultimately that is where games of football are won or lost. We created some great chances against Everton but couldn't finish them off and there was so much positive stuff to take, but we didn't deal with the transition from having the ball to losing it particularly well enough. Ultimately, some of these moments have cost us.
On arranging a few friendly games to end the campaign…
We will just keep the boys ticking over and we have some good games to end the season. We travel to Norwich City on Saturday and then we have a trip to Sunderland before we finish at home against a team from the USA.
On his 10 years with LFC…
It has been a brilliant decade. It has been amazing and this is a fantastic club. Outside, prior to coming in you know the traditions, the values, you see it, the history, the trophies. People label it as a family club and they say it is welcoming and it certainly is that, but I don't think you realise how good it is until you set foot inside it. I think that the club, the Academy itself, it has been an unbelievable place to work in.
On his pride at seeing the likes of Bradley and Quansah become Premier League title winners…
Those two definitely but there are many more as well, seeing how well Tyler Morton has progressed, Trey Nyoni is doing well, and there are many more. It has been a really proud feeling to see them get an opportunity. Some have taken it and some not quite to the same level but even boys who have moved on to other clubs, it is still really fulfilling to see them getting on with their career and hopefully getting some success.
On some personal standout moments from his time at the Academy…
For the Academy the Carabao Cup final last year was a really special day. I was really fortunate on the day to be sat next to Alex [Inglethorpe] and the two of us shared a bit of a moment when everything was going on at the end. It was unprecedented and I don't think you could have written that script. If someone had written a script and told you about that, people would never have believed you. It was a special day for the Academy, for Alex of course with all the work that he has done, but it was special for everyone, from the canteen staff through to security and coaching staff, laundry staff, everybody connected with the Academy.