England Supporters Club

Boothroyd to lead the England U21s

Posted by Team England at 13:45 on Friday 03 February 2017

Aidy Boothroyd will lead England into the 2017 UEFA Under-21 European Championship this summer.

The 45-year-old will take charge of the Young Lions having originally stepped into the role on an interim basis last September.

Boothroyd joined The FA three years ago and has gone on to achieve notable success with both England’s U19s and U20s.

He led the U20s to victory in a Four Nations Tournament involving Germany, Netherlands and Turkey in October 2014 before guiding the same group to the third/fourth play-off at the 2015 Toulon Tournament.

And the Yorkshireman followed that up last summer by reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA U19 European Championship in Germany to secure qualification for the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup in South Korea.

During his spell with the U21s throughout October and November last year, he helped to ensure unbeaten England finished top of their Euro 2017 qualifying group. The Three Lions have since been drawn against hosts Poland, reigning champions Sweden and Slovakia at the finals in June.

Boothroyd, whose contract as a national coach within The FA’s technical division at St. George’s Park runs until 2020, said: “I am honoured to be given the task of leading England into the U21 European Championship. Having worked closely with this group of players in recent months, I know they are capable of achieving success in Poland in June.

“They have learned a lot from recent tournament experiences and this summer will be the next chapter of their development as an international player.” 

Prior to joining The FA, Boothroyd had taken charge of more than 350 games as a manager in the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two with Watford, Coventry City, Colchester United and Northampton Town respectively. Whilst in charge of Watford, he guided the Hornets into the top flight via the play-offs in 2006 and the FA Cup semi-finals the following season. 

After a decade-long playing career, he worked as a youth team coach at Peterborough United, Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion followed by a spell as first-team coach at Leeds United. 

Boothroyd will be assisted in his role by Colin Cooper and goalkeeping coach Tim Dittmer.