Former Republic of Ireland international Lee Carsley will be joining Brentford’s Academy coaching set-up.

The 40-year-old – who had a stellar playing career that included spells at Everton, Derby County and Birmingham City – will be joining The Bees as Development Squad Manager.

He has previously worked at Coventry City, as Under-18 Manager and with the First Team, and was Assistant Manager at Sheffield United when David Weir, now Brentford Assistant Manager, was in charge.

Jon De Souza will take over as Youth Team Manager, a position last held by Jeremy Steele, who left Brentford earlier this month.

Anthony Hayes will continue his role as Under-17 Head Coach, working with Jon coaching the scholars.

Ose Aibangee, Brentford FC Academy Director, said: “I am delighted to have secured someone with Lee’s background and expertise.

“His playing career was played exclusively in the top two divisions and mostly in the Premier League.

“He also brings coaching expertise at Academy and First Team level.

“I am sure he will be a valuable asset for the Academy and the Club as a whole.”

Ose explained how the new Academy coaching set-up will work.

“Lee brings with him the experience of playing more than 450 league games,” said Ose.

“That is knowledge he can pass on to our Under-21 players, the ones who we want to be knocking on the door of the First Team.

“We believe we have a group of players that are capable of playing in the Championship and more coming up in the younger age groups, they will be able to use what Lee has learnt to enable them to take the next step.

“Jon De Souza did a superb job as Development Squad Manager, he is an excellent coach.

“We can now use his expertise with the younger players, those in the first years of their professional development phase.

“Jon arrived here as Youth Team Manager and his one-year at that level was an undoubted success, the progress of players in that group – Josh Clarke, Charlie Adams, Luke Norris, Emmanuel Oyeleke and Alfie Mawson among others – and reaching the FA Youth Cup Fourth Round is testament to that.

“Our scholars will improve under his guidance and then Lee can develop them further and turn them in to the Brentford players we believe they can be.”

Lee will start at Brentford tomorrow, Wednesday October 22.