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Fussball, 1. Bundesliga, Saison 2012/13, 10. Spieltag, 1. FC Nuernberg - VfL Wolfsburg, Samstag (03.11.12), easy-Credit-Stadion, Nuernberg: Wolfsburgs Trainer Lorenz-Guenther Koestner (r.) bespricht sich vor Spielbeginn mit seinem Co-Trainer Andries Jonker. +++ Achtung Bildredaktionen: Die Verwendung der Bilder fuer die gedruckten Ausgaben der Zeitungen und andere Print-Medien ist ohne Einschraenkungen moeglich. Die DFL erlaubt ausserdem die Publikation und Weiterverwertung von maximal 15 Fotos (keine Sequenzbilder und keine videoaehnlichen Fotostrecken) aus dem Stadion und/oder vom Spiel im Internet und in Online-Medien. Die Publikation oder Verwertung der Fotos (Stand- und Sequenzbilder) aus dem Stadion und/oder vom Spiel ueber Mobilfunk (insbesondere per MMS) und ueber DVB-H/SH und DMB ist erst 2 Stunden nach Abpfiff des jeweiligen Spiels erlaubt! Foto: Michael Will/dapdMichael Will/Associated Press

Arsenal Appoint Ex-Barcelona and Bayern Man Andries Jonker as Academy Manager

Michael WadeJan 20, 2014

Arsenal have appointed former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach Andries Jonker as the head of their academy.

The club's official Twitter account confirmed the news:

Jonker, 51, is currently assistant manager at Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg and will formally join Arsenal on July 1, when he will replace club legend Liam Brady.

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Brady will work with Jonker to ensure a smooth handover period takes place.

Former Arsenal striker Dennis Bergkamp, who is currently assistant coach at Ajax, had been linked with the position and had confirmed his potential interest in the role, per Jamie Sanderson in the Metro.

Former Arsenal striker Dennis Bergkamp was linked with the position.

TOM HEVEZI/Associated Press

Jonker spent seven years as a coach for the KNVB (Dutch Football Association), as well as managing the Under-15 and Under-21 sides and serving as the federation's technical manager for a short period.

He also worked alongside current Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, giving him a wealth of experience working at the top level in European football and alongside some of the biggest players.

Arsene Wenger highlighted Jonker's work in the Netherlands when welcoming his appointment, per the club's official news release:

"
I am very pleased that Andries is joining us. He has a big reputation in the game and was a key part of the team which developed the structures which are now producing such strong young players in Holland.
I look forward to working with him. I would also like to thank Liam for his work which has been outstanding over many years.
"

The position of managing the Gunners' academy is as important a job at Arsenal as at any side in the world. The club are renowned for their ability to bring young players through, and in their current first-team squad, Jack Wilshere, Wojciech Szczesny and Kieran Gibbs have all graduated through the youth ranks.

Wenger takes particular pride in the development of young talent and will work closely with Jonker to maintain a steady stream to continue to make their way from the youth setup into the first team.