JORDAN HADAWAY - a 19-year-old student dubbed the ‘youngest senior manager in British football’ - is celebrating an eye-catching move to Cefn Druids.

Hadaway, a second year student at Liverpool Hope University, made headlines across the world last year after being appointed boss of Caerwys FC, a team in the fifth tier of Welsh football.

But now he has left his role as manager of Caerwys to become a first-team assistant coach with Cyrmu Premier outfit Druids, who competed in the preliminary rounds of the UEFA Europa League in 2019.

The role will see Hadaway, who comes from Holywell, studying for his UEFA A licence coaching badge and he will also run soccer clinics with Spanish giants Real Madrid, having first been employed by them last summer.

Speaking about his astonishing early career in the game, Hadaway laughs: “I sometimes have to remind myself that I’ve not even turned 20 yet, and I realise I need to stay grounded, listen to advice and carry on learning.

“But despite my age I always feel confident about being able to earn the respect of the players through my approach to coaching.

“The new role at Cefn Druids is one I couldn’t turn down.

“I loved my time at Caerwys and I will be forever grateful for them giving me my first senior managerial job in football.

“But with the greatest respect in the world, I’m jumping five tiers to move to the Welsh Premier and it’s something of a dream come true.”

Hadaway is assistant coach for the senior side but head coach of the newly formed Elite Development Squad (EDS) and says he’s already receiving regular and encouraging phone calls from the likes of former Wales international striker Robert Earnshaw as well as former Premier League manager Nigel Adkins.

“It means I’m a first team coach, and I’m also the manager of the new Elite Development Squad overseeing the development of players aged between 17 and 21," he said.

“And it’s my job to develop players, including trialists, so that they’re able thrive in the first team."

Hadaway's appointment comes amid ongoing investment and reinvigoration from forward-thinking Cefn Druids chairman Des Williams, who last summer installed Bruno Lopes as manager.

Lopes was previously head coach at Portuguese Primeira Liga side Portimonense and their highly successful U23 team.

Jordan, who will work alongside assistant manager Jayson Starkey, added: “Bruno plays incredible football, he’s extremely knowledgeable and he’s changing the culture of the club. So it’s a real honour to be working with him.

“And, for me, it’s an opportunity to take a step back from being the manager, as I was at Caerwys, and to watch and learn from other professionals.

“Seeing the level of analysis that gets done in terms of the opposition has been a real eye opener, including the detail on precise movements of individual players.

“And I’m extremely excited to be able to develop the way that I work, too. There’s no doubt it’s going to be a big challenge but it’s one I’m going to give my all.”