Ben Dawson has revealed Neil Redfearn’s exit from Newcastle United’s Academy project was entirely down to the former Leeds manager’s personal choice.
The former Premier League player linked up with the Magpies in the summer but walked out after just six months in the job.
Dawson - the Academy’s head of coaches - has taken over the reins as Under-23 boss while Newcastle decide on their next move.
A young Newcastle side put in a decent performance against EFL opposition at Port Vale in the EFL Trophy, but were beaten by a late goal in a 2-1 defeat.
First-team boss Steve Bruce said last week he would like an input on who gets the second-string manager’s job.
Speaking at Vale Park, Dawson told the Chronicle: “We made a lot of changes over the summer.
“We restructured and tried to get things in place.
“Neil made the decision - it was his choice to leave.
“We will reassess the situation and get our heads together in terms of senior staff over the next few weeks and decide how we go forward.”
For now Dawson and Liam Bramley will look after the reserves.
The Geordie coach added: “Ultimately at any football club the players are the most important thing.
“For our group at the Academy they’re development is not halted.
“We need to build momentum and build off the back of a good performance at Port Vale and look forward to a busy period.”
Newcastle made it to the last 16 of the EFL Trophy last season but bowed out at the group stages this term after losses at Macclesfield, Shrewsbury and Port Vale.
Dawson said: “There are bits in the programme we can give them, but bits on EFL Trophy nights we can’t.
“That’s why we take part.
“We were fortunate last season to reach the last 16, this year we have had three games.
“We’ve had more opportunities for the lads and they relish them.
“They came in after Port Vale and were really disappointed not to have won the game shows how well they have done.
“We handled the ball really well.
“We just tried to tighten things up.
“The first 25 minutes was predominantly us then Port Vale grew into the game.
“Individual errors cost us the goal.
“We spoke about it at half-time but then we got away with a disallowed goal, the fella scored.
“But we were disappointed with decisions, but you can’t control that.
“You can control your work ethic, effort and application.
“It’s doing the right things and, if you do, 9/10 you’ll get the right result.”
The big highlight of the night at Port Vale was 17-year-old
After the game Anderson, speaking to NUFC TV, said: “I was buzzing to score.
“At first, I thought I might have been offside and I was checking for the linesman but I was really happy to get my first goal.
“It was a good ball into the box by Jamie (Sterry) and I’ve managed to get on to the end of it.
“It’s been a good couple of weeks for me after signing my professional contract but I know I need to keep working hard to get more opportunities like this.
“I just want to stay around the under-23 squad and try to get more minutes.”
