Omer Riza said he is “delighted” to be made the Head Coach of the club's Under-23 side in an appointment described as “thorough deserved” by Academy chiefs.
Riza has been taking charge of the team since Hayden Mullins joined the first-team coaching staff in December and continued the role after Mullins left to join Colchester United as assistant manager last month.
The 40-year-old Riza, who came through the youth system at Arsenal and who has managed Leyton Orient, has now landed the role on a permanent basis.
“I’m really delighted,” he said. “I’ve come into the group with Hayden and he made me feel part of it, got me involved. I’m very happy to be given the opportunity now and hopefully I can continue the good work that’s being done at the club.
“I'd like to thank [Head of Academy] Barry Quin and [Academy Manager] Richard Thomas for giving me the opportunity and all the staff that have played their part in helping to facilitate over the last six months of transition at the club. It is very much appreciated. I'm looking forward to the continued development and nurturing of our aspiring young pros.”
Riza joined the club in August 2018 and has worked his way through the age groups to land the 23s job. He travelled with the first-team squad to Tranmere for the FA Cup tie and helps to coach the England Under-17 side.
“He's worked his way up and really proved himself,” said Quin. “We are really happy for him. He's really dedicated, is a hard worker and really willing to learn.
“It's great to promote from within, but we like to do that with all the staff, not just the coaches. It's great to see staff also transition to the first team. The relationship with the first team has never been more positive.”
Thomas (pictured above) worked with Riza at Orient and was pleased to be reunited with him at Vicarage Road when he arrived in May 2019.
“He's worked very hard since I arrived and before that,” said Thomas. “His appointment is thoroughly deserved. He's worked with a number of different age groups and done a lot of work with England. He's their in-possession coach with the Under-17s and he's bringing back a lot of content to our environment and sharing that with the players and staff. He's grown as a coach and I'm really pleased for him.”
The rise of Riza shows the desire to promote from within and is also evidenced by the likes of sports scientist Lee Stafford and physiotherapists Dan Simm and Josh Cornick making the move from Academy to first team.
“The primary goal is to crack that player pathway, but we have a lot of staff on the pathway: the medical, the S&C staff and coaches with Hayden and Stacky last year,” said Thomas. “There is lots of progression and migration from the Academy to the first team.”
