'Significant contribution' - Manchester United confirm exit of experienced figure after 24 years
Manchester United have officially confirmed the departure of goalkeeping coach Richard Hartis after a 24-year spell associated with the club.
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Hide AdHartis is the latest staff change at Old Trafford as they look to refresh their coaching set-up and bring in an innovative approach ahead of the new season.
The experienced coach was well regarded throughout his two decades at the club and played a key part in developing David de Gea into arguably the best goalkeeper in the world at his peak, as well as nurturing numerous academy hopefuls who have gone on to have careers in the professional game.
Hartis joined United as head academy goalkeeping coach in 2001, before becoming the first-team goalkeeping coach in the 2007/08 season, when United won both the Premier League and Champions League. He spent three years at Molde alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and also spent nine months with the Norwegian during his time in charge of Cardiff City. He also held roles at Leeds United and the FA before he returned to United in June 2019 to work alongside Solskjaer again.
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Hide Ad"Manchester United can confirm that Richard Hartis has left the club after five years as senior first-team goalkeeping coach,” the club said in a statement on Thursday. “We would like to sincerely thank Richard for his significant contribution over two spells with the club, working with a succession of first-team goalkeepers and developing numerous Academy goalkeepers, several of whom reached the top level.
“Richard was integral in our Emirates FA Cup and Carabao Cup successes in the past two years, and, in his prior spell from 2001 to 2010, he was head goalkeeping coach in our Academy and first-team goalkeeping coach in the 2007/08 season, when we won the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.
"Richard leaves with our warmest best wishes for the next phase of his career.”
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Hide AdJelle ten Rouwelaar has already been appointed as the new first-team goalkeeping coach, with Craig Mawson remaining at the club as his assistant. It is unclear what Hartis will do next, but he thanked for the club for allowing him to be a part of their journey for so long.
He added: “Manchester United is a special football club and it’s been wonderful to be part of it on two separate occasions over the past 24 years. I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with some very hard-working and committed people across all areas of the club, and to have experienced so many great moments with them along the way.
"In particular, I would like to thank all the goalkeepers, both past and present, who dedicated themselves to representing the club and playing in a way that befits Manchester United. I want to wish everyone at the club the very best for the future.”
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