Jack Mesure returns as Chelsea U23 assistant, Andy Ross steps up to U18 coaching

Last summer, Academy coach Jack Mesure left the Chelsea youth setup for a coaching opportunity at Bristol Rovers, where he acted in a couple different roles including first-team assistant manager to Ben Garner over the past twelve months. But Garner didn’t survive past November and Rovers themselves didn’t survive the drop, finishing rock bottom in League One despite three different managers.

With Rovers back in the fourth division this season, there’s been a bit of an exodus among the staff this summer, including the 33-year-old Mesure, who made his name at Crystal Palace before being “headhunted” by Chelsea in 2018 for the Academy coaching setup.

As confirmed by the Chelsea website, Mesure has now returned to the Blues to take up an assistant role with the U23s, filling the opening left by Eric Ramsay leaving for Manchester United earlier this summer.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have also confirmed that coach Andy Ross has stepped up to the U18 level as assistant to Ed Brand, filling the spot left by James Simmonds joining AFC Wimbledon on loan until at least January. Ross was the U16 head coach last season, assisted by Ashley Cole. Cole recently took on a part-time role with the England U21 setup, too, so it’s unclear if he will be the one to fill Ross’s shoes with the U16s, or how those responsibilities will be delegated out.

In any case, congrats, Andy, and welcome back, Jack!