Head of recruitment
Here is the full article, without paywall -
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/football/article4666014.ece
Langley is understood to have decided to retire because of disenchantment at the academy’s decline and limitations imposed on him regarding player recruitment. It is believed that he has become increasingly frustrated at working under John Alexander, the club secretary, and John Murtagh, Everton’s former head of performance, who was brought to Old Trafford by David Moyes, the pair who have taken charge of the academy since Brian McClair left his role as performance director at the end of last season.
Despite United’s commitment to an overhaul that is likely to bring considerable changes in personnel at the end of the season, some academy staff are concerned that their work is not valued highly enough by Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman, who is perceived as being more concerned with making big-money signings than youth development.
Langley’s frustration is based on the difficulties he has faced in recruitment. Rather than cherry-picking the best young players in the north west of the country, as they were largely able to do during Sir Alex Ferguson’s time at the club, United have increasingly found themselves losing out to City and have been forced to recruit from lower-league clubs, offering trials last summer to players such as Paul Digby, a 20-year-old Barnsley defender who is now on loan at Ipswich Town of the Sky Bet Championship.
United have also suffered the embarrassment of former players such as Robin van Persie, Phil Neville and Darren Fletcher enrolling their sons with City, whose under-14 team beat their neighbours 9-0 this season.
