Heart of Midlothian is delighted to announce that Lee Wallace has been appointed as assistant coach of our under-18s boys side.
A Hearts Academy graduate himself, Wallace signed professional terms with the Jambos in the summer of 2004 and went on to make 193 appearances in maroon before departing in July 2011 for a seven-figure fee.
Wallace would go on to spend the next eight years at Rangers, before departing for Queens Park Rangers in 2019.
After three years at Loftus Road, Wallace announced his retirement from football in September 2022, aged 35. During his career he amassed a total of 475 professional appearances.
The left-back, who was also capped on 10 occasions by Scotland, has most recently spent time coaching Hearts boys under-16s, but now makes the move to the 18s as David McNeil’s assistant.
Speaking to the Official Hearts Website, academy director, Andrew Webster commented:
“I first got back in touch with Lee around August last year. We had a very in-depth discussion around his coaching journey and also his learning to date. At that time, Lee's UEFA B licence had elapsed, but I could see and feel from our initial chat the passion he had for coaching.
“Emma Hunter very kindly agreed to allow Lee to volunteer within our girls’ academy to pass on his knowledge and expertise, whilst allowing Lee to revalidate his coaching licence.
"From there an opportunity arose in the boys’ academy to join Steven Hamilton with the U16s group. Lee's enthusiasm for developing the players was clear to see from the outset.
“The group benefitted from this, which along with other staff, helped a large number of the players earn full time professional contracts. With the re-structuring in the professional phase, an opportunity came up to assist David McNeil with the boys U18s.
“Lee interviewed very well and along with his time already spent in the academy, was offered the full-time position. In the short period of time, himself and David, along with Donald Park, have been working with the group, the younger U18s have integrated seamlessly into the full-time environment and the older players are able to benefit form a very high level of coaching.
“I have no doubt all the group will benefit from Lee's passion and enthusiasm for developing young players and I am excited to see this over the coming months and years.”
Congratulations, Lee!
