Airdrieonians are today delighted to announce the appointment of Eddie Wolecki Black as our new full-time Director of Coaching. 

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The vastly experienced UEFA Pro Licence coach moves to the Diamonds to oversee the development of the players and coaches in our Academy over the years to come. 

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Eddie, 50, has a key role now in providing a conveyor belt of locally-bred talent for the top team. 

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And he said: “I am thrilled and delighted to be joining a club with such a rich history as Airdrieonians. 

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“My career in coaching has been challenging and varied and this post is hugely exciting. 

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“There is so much potential at this football club and I can’t wait to start tapping into that and begin producing home-bred players I know will excite the fans.”  

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Former Dundee United player Eddie began his coaching journey under the watchful eyes of the legendary Jim McLean at Tannadice 15 years ago and has built a superb reputation since. 

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He bossed top junior side Lochee United and then had spells as Head of Youth at both Brechin City and Arbroath before managing Montrose. His standing inside the game has continued to rise. 

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And his decision to take over as Head Coach of Glasgow City was to change the face of women’s football in this country. 

City were revolutionised into a trophy-winning machine that now sees them with eight successive titles in the bank and a history that now includes making the last eight of the Champions League. 

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When Eddie decided to move on this summer for a new challenge he left behind a club transformed with an enviable youth and coaching set-up. 

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He moved back into the men’s game at French Academy side Edusport - where French students play and try to win a way into the Scottish game - and quickly impressed once more. 

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Edusport’s top team are flying high at the top of the South of Scotland League  and their Under-20s side are in the third round of the Scottish Cup having seen off professional opposition to get there. 

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Eddie confessed: “Throughout my career I have had lengthy spells with four clubs so it is unusual for me to move on after two and a half months. 

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“That’s football at times, though, and once I spoke with the Chairman and the Chief Executive at Airdrieonians about their plans for the club the opportunity was one I could not refuse. 

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“Despite the short period of time I believe the coaching staff and myself achieved a lot in our time together at Edusport. 

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“We leave them six points clear at the top of the table and through to the third round of the Scottish Youth Cup. 

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“Having lived in the Airdrie area for the last five years it is a place that I know very well and I aim to put in place a structure that will develop players both during and beyond my tenure as Director of Coaching.” 

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Airdrieonians chairman Tom Wotherspoon sees this appointment as a statement of intent for the years ahead at the club he bought a controlling interest in this summer. 

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He said: “I know other clubs at our level are scaling back their Academies but that is totally the opposite strategy from the way I want to go. 

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“Eddie has a vision for the education of our players and coaches and it is a pivotal to the way we will progress as a football club. 

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“I can understand that people may have thought we were paying lip-service to youth development when we made statements at the start of this adventure. 

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“This full-time appointment shows our commitment to young footballers and developing coaches in Airdrie and Eddie will also work hard to put a footprint back in the community we serve.”