Former Derby County Academy Coach Sam Hudson Secures Coaching Role at Newcastle United
Former Derby County academy coach Sam Hudson has taken the next step in his coaching career after being appointed by Premier League side Newcastle United. Hudson has officially joined the Magpies as an Academy Individual Development Coach, marking another significant milestone in his journey through English football.
Hudson recently left Portsmouth following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season. He had joined the Championship club four years ago after departing Aston Villa, where he had also been involved in youth development. During his time at Portsmouth, he played a key role in shaping the club’s academy structure and developing young talent.
Confirming his new appointment through social media, Hudson expressed his excitement about joining Newcastle United. He wrote that he was delighted to begin his new role as Individual Development Coach at the club and looked forward to entering his 14th season in professional football at one of England’s biggest clubs.
Hudson previously spent three years with Derby County, serving in the club’s academy between 2018 and 2021. During that period, he worked closely with young players, helping to nurture and improve the next generation of footballers before moving on to Aston Villa’s highly regarded academy setup.
After leaving Aston Villa, Hudson accepted a position at Portsmouth, where he became an important figure in the club’s efforts to modernise and strengthen its youth development programme. Initially, he worked as assistant head coach alongside Zesh Rehman after Liam Daish stepped down from his position as the club’s Under-18 head coach.
When Rehman was promoted to Portsmouth’s first-team coaching staff following Danny Cowley’s departure, Hudson was elevated to Professional Development Phase Coach. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing the progression of academy players as they prepared to make the transition into senior football.
Hudson’s departure from Portsmouth came at the end of the season following a series of structural changes within the club’s academy. As part of the reshuffle, Greg Miller left to become academy manager at Charlton Athletic, while James Barlow was appointed as his replacement at Portsmouth. Hudson’s former position has since been filled by Under-18 assistant coach Piero Mingoia.
His appointment at Newcastle United provides him with the opportunity to continue working with elite young players in one of the Premier League’s most ambitious academy systems. The role will focus on improving the technical, tactical, and personal development of academy prospects as they progress through the club’s youth ranks.
Derby County Prepare for a Busy Summer
Meanwhile, Derby County are preparing for what promises to be an eventful summer transfer window. With new signings expected to arrive and several players potentially heading for the exit at Pride Park, supporters can anticipate plenty of movement before the new season begins.
