Joe McBride joins Watford’s Academy in a role he previously held at Glasgow giants Celtic for 10 years.
He started his career as a player at Everton before moving on to Rotherham United and then Oldham Athletic before retiring in 1996.
He has since coached at Albion Rovers and was the Youth team coach at Celtic until 2008, when he left to become Assistant Manager to Willie McStay at Újpest FC in Budapest, Hungary.
McBride is 11 years older than Watford boss Malky Mackay but the pair have played against each other in the Scottish leagues.
“Although I was just finishing my playing career as Malky was just starting his, we did play against each other a couple of times” said McBride.
“But I had a good chat with him when I was here and I’ve spoken at length with him over the phone since and I’m delighted to be joining the Club. I’m very much looking forward to the start of the season and I can’t wait to get started.”
Speaking about the importance that the Club attaches to its Youth Development programme he added:
“The first thing I noticed when I came was the fabulous facilities that Watford FC have got at the training ground.”
“I was also fortunate enough to be involved with a couple of the Academy games at the end of the season; the narrow loss to Fulham and the 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. Both those games showed me that there is a lot of talent in the Academy here at Watford.”
“I think it’s really important for Clubs to be able to produce players that can come up through the Youth team into the first 11.”
“Watford’s a Club where the youngsters know that if they do well then they will get a chance in the first team and the Manager is prepared to give them that chance.”
