Simon joins youth set-up
Latics have appointed Simon Cooper as their full time youth development phase coach for the club's 11/16 year olds.The 41-year-old from Failsworth, who is pictured being welcomed to Boundary Park by Head of Youth Tony Philliskirk, will be helping Latics implement the new Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP).
It entails creating a coaching programme and philosophy which will run throughout the club.
Cooper, who is studying for his UEFA 'A' coaching licence, will also have involvement with the youth team.
He said: "I am looking to build on what Tony Philliskirk and Mick Priest have done in bringing players through.
"The EPPP is a re-branding of the system which is currently in place and will make it even better."
In his last job, Cooper was head of youth recruitment at Accrington Stanley where he also coached the youth team and under-16's.
Before that, Cooper worked part time for Manchester City as an under-16 select squad coach and at Stockport County where he was assistant youth-team coach.
Locally Cooper played amateur football and has coached/managed at clubs such as Failsworth Town, Avro's, Marine FC, Failsworth Dynamos and Chadderton's youth team.