Former Aston Villa man joins Wolves ahead of new Premier League season
Latest Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive includes an update on former goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler
Former Aston Villa goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler has joined Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 46-year-old left Villa in October after it was announced Unai Emery was would be taking over as head coach. He spent four years working at Villa Park after joining as part of Dean Smith’s coaching set-up.
Cutler now succeeds Tony Roberts at Molineux, following his departure to join Italian giants AC Milan. A statement released by Wolves, reads: “Neil Cutler has become Wolves’ new head of goalkeeping and has started working with the first-team group ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
“The 46-year-old, who replaces the outgoing Tony Roberts, brings a wealth of experience to the role and joins on the back of four years on the coaching staff at Aston Villa. Having moved to Villa Park in 2018, Cutler remained across the West Midlands until Unai Emery’s arrival last October, working closely with a number of goalkeepers, including World Cup winner and former Old Gold loanee Emi Martinez.
Sporting director Matt Hobbs said: “Neil’s somebody we know well. What was interesting was the amount of people I had recommending him, even other candidates for the role praised him, so for them to be so positive shows you the level of coach we’ve managed to bring in.
“He’s a big personality, with massive attention to detail – a real training ground coach who drives standards and brings positive energy to the place. We couldn’t replace Tony like for like, but there are certain qualities we looked for which Neil has. Neil’s developed senior goalkeepers at all the clubs he’s been at, but also brought young ones through, and with the investment we’ve put into the goalkeeping department, that was important to us.”
Upon his departure from Villa, Cutler wrote on Twitter: “Where to start… firstly, I’m truly gutted to leave this amazing football club to which I hold such fond memories. Since I walked into the club 4 years ago I have seen it grow from strength to strength with the support of ambitious owners & the bedrock of unbelievable support staff.
“My time here holds nothing but positive and happy memories. I’ve loved every second of my journey here but for now, it’s time to rest, recharge and prepare myself for the next chapter. On a final note… to all the unbelievable fans who’ve shown me nothing but love. Thank you…”
READ MORE: Former Wolves defender joins Bolton Wanderers after Molineux exit
Wolverhampton Wanderers transfer news from BirminghamLive as the club prepares for the 2023/24 Premier League season
Luke Matheson has joined Bolton Wanderers after he was released by Wolves at the end of the season.
The 20 year old has signed for the League One club’s ‘B’ team, set up last summer to help young players bridge the gap between academy and first team football. The right back has been training with the B squad as well as playing in three friendlies to earn a way back into the game after ending his three years at Wolves.
Matheson came through the youth system at Rochdale, making his debut at just 15 years and 336 days to become the club’s youngest-ever first-team player. He also scored for them against Manchester United in the EFL Cup. He was signed by Wolves on January deadline day in 2020 and was then loaned back to Rochdale for the rest of the season but injuries have hampered his progress.
After signing a 12-month deal with Bolton, he told the club: “It’s a chance for me to get back on my feet again. For different factors it didn’t work out at Wolves, so it’s just me turning the page of the book, carrying on my career, carrying on the journey and Bolton, from what I’ve experienced so far, seems the perfect place for me to find my feet again. Every player and the staff – everyone I’ve met – has been amazing with me.
“The day I signed my first professional contract was one of the happiest moments of my life. Growing up, every boy’s dream is to be a professional footballer and to live that is something I’ll never take for granted.
“Every contract is something that allows me to continue doing what I love and I’m grateful to Bolton and the previous clubs I’ve had contracts with for giving me that opportunity.
“I’ve not played football for a while. Injuries have added to that. It’s finding my feet, little baby steps and, hopefully, if all goes well, I’ll be pushing to play with the Bolton badge on my chest with a lot of pride which I know comes with the club.”
