Wolverhampton Wanderers

Chris Iwelumo leaves Under-18s role at Wolves after having change of heart

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 27 July 2015

Chris Iwelumo stands down from his role as Wolves' Under-18s head coach just six days after being appointed because he has had a change of heart.

Chris Iwelumo has announced that he will leave his role as academy Under-18s head coach at Wolverhampton Wanderers just six days after taking the position.

The 36-year-old was appointed by the Championship outfit last week in his first coaching role since retiring from football in October 2014.

However, Iwelumo has now had a change of heart, claiming that he is "not up to the demands" of the role at Compton Park.

"It is with a heavy heart that, having taken on the role and started work, I have quickly realised that I do not think I am up to the demands of the position at this stage of my career," Iwelumo told the club's official website. "As I said last week when taking on the role, I was delighted to have been successful and was really looking forward to it.

"But once I started working with the lads, and planning the way forward, I have decided that I am not ready to take on such an important position.

"I have two girls under 10 and a new baby and, with the long hours and travel associated with the role, I underestimated the amount of time I would need to spend away from home. As soon as I felt that this was the case, it was only right to be open and honest and to give Wolves the best opportunity of appointing another candidate."

Academy manager Gareth Prosser has admitted that he is "naturally disappointed" by Iwelumo's decision to walk away from the job.