NEWCASTLE UNITED are looking for their third new Under-23s head coach in the space of nine months after Neil Redfearn resigned from his position in the academy set-up.

Redfearn, who did not travel with the Under-23s squad as they lost at Aston Villa last night, submitted a formal resignation letter to the Newcastle hierarchy citing ‘irreconcilable differences’ within the structure of the coaching environment below first-team level that had made his position ‘untenable’.

It is understood the 54-year-old, who briefly took charge of first-team affairs prior to Steve Bruce’s appointment this summer, has struggled to form a working relationship with Liam Bramley, who was recently appointed as his assistant under the overview of Ben Dawson, who is Newcastle’s head of non first-team coaching.

Redfearn feared the pair’s inability to work together was hampering the development of the Magpies’ junior players, and opted to walk out on his position rather than remain in a role he felt he could no longer carry out.

His resignation is the latest blow to a Newcastle academy set-up that has been mired in controversy for more than a year.

Redfearn was promoted to his role in June as a replacement for Peter Beardsley, who was forced to leave the Magpies in March pending an investigation into allegations of racist behaviour.

Beardsley was banned from all football activity for 32 weeks in September after being found guilty of three charges of racially abusing black players while coaching Newcastle’s Under-23s side.

Redfearn’s departure means there will have to be another reshuffle, with the former Leeds United and Liverpool Women boss already being linked with the managerial position at League Two Carlisle United, where Steven Pressley is coming under increased pressure after a poor run of results.