James Thomas has quit his role as Trinidad and Tobago women’s national team manager to become Bristol City’s new Women and Girls Development Manager.
The Welshman returns to the West Country were he previously spent four years in the clubs academy set up.
The move sees him link-up with Bristol City head coach Lauren Smith who he previously worked under as an assistant coach for City’s WSL Development side before taking over from Smith as head coach and went on to lead the BCWFC and SGS College programme.
In 2018 Thomas left the club to join the FAW were he served as a coach for the under-17, under-19 and senior sides, before leaving to become Trinidad and Tobago head coach in April 2021.
Smith is delighted to be working alongside Thomas once again: “A key pillar of our long-term vision for the club is to have a strong core of homegrown players in our first team squad, which means it’s imperative our player pathway provides the right environment and opportunities for players to progress to the top level.
“James brings a wealth of experience in developing the next generation of talent in the women’s game. Having worked closely with him both at here Bristol City and with Wales I believe he’s going to add great value to the future of our club.”
Embed from Getty Images“I am delighted to have been presented with the opportunity of re-joining the club, and to work alongside Lauren once again as we re-establish the club’s reputation of being able to build a sustainable first team squad with a strong core of homegrown players,” Thomas told Bristol’s official website.
“Bristol City WFC has played a huge part in my development as a coach, and to be given the responsibility to create and manage a successful pathway within the club is something I am very proud of.”
Thomas leaves his role with the TTFA having never taken charge of a national team game.
“This has been an incredibly tough decision to make. It’s disappointing because you have a fantastic group of players here,” Thomas said via the TTFA’s press release.
“This is an opportunity that came up for the third time and it was too difficult to turn down again.“
“Stepping away, I know the Trinidad and Tobago team will go on and be successful and continue on the route that we have been working on over the last few months.
“I wish the Normalization Committee, Association’s staff, the team staff and the players the absolute best.“
“While the TTFA is disappointed to lose Thomas, we thank him for the work he has done with the Senior Women’s programme and we will be building on that foundation into our CONCACAF W Qualifying campaign which begins in November 2021.
Former Pontypridd head-coach and Thomas’ assistant Charlie Mitchell has been put in temporary charge whilst the TTFA search for a permanent replacement.
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