Academy boss joins Portland Timbers

Sheffield Wednesday academy manager Sean McAuley has left Hillsborough to join American MLS outfit Portland Timbers.





McAuley will take up his position as assistant head coach with the Timbers later this month.





The 40-year-old joined the Owls in 2005 and, after taking control of the academy a year later, successfully steered a raft of youth team players into the senior squad.





In addition, McAuley twice managed the Wednesday first team on a caretaker basis.





He represented Portland Timbers during his playing days and will return Stateside to continue his career on the other side of the white line.





McAuley said: “It is a massive wrench for me to be leaving Sheffield Wednesday but this opportunity is a great one for me at this stage of my career.





“Hillsborough is not a place I want to leave but Portland is a place I want to go.”





Owls chairman Milan Mandaric added: “Sean is a good man and a talented coach who is very dedicated.





“He expressed a desire to take up this opportunity and although we did not want him to leave, he does so with our very best wishes.”





Sheffield Wednesday would like to thank Sean for his services and wish him well for the future.