Wolves' head of medical Phil Hayward leaves club for LA Galaxy

Hayward has left Molineux after 11-and-a-half years service and will take on a similar head of sports science role at the California-based club.

Hayward was pictured in the LA Times at Galaxy’s Dignity Health Sports Park training base in official club kit.

He was captured walking off the pitch with Galaxy’s new signing Mexican hot-shot Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez on January 23.

But he has not officially started his new role and was just visiting his new club to discuss his contract.

The fully qualified physiotherapist is scheduled to start next month subject to VISA clearance by US authorities.

Wolves confirmed Hayward’s exit today but are yet to confirm his destination as he awaits that official confirmation.

But the medical boss leaves with Wolves’ best wishes.

Hayward joined the Wolves Academy in 2008, three years later he was announced as first team physio and has been instrumental in the club’s excellent injury prevention record.

And Wolves’ sporting director Kevin Thelwell paid tribute to the departing Hayward.

He told the club website: “Phil has given an incredible level of service to Wolves over his 11-and-a-half years at the club, including some notable achievements, not least leading the team as they attained the Premier League all-time record for low injury rates in the 2018/19 season.

“Phil has put together an exceptional medical and sports science team at Compton over the years, and the expertise now contained within the department will give us a real platform for sustained success moving forwards.”

Doctor Matt Perry will now take temporary charge until a permanent appointment is announced in the summer.

And Thelwell says Perry is perfect to take over the reins as Wolves look for Hayward’s successor.

He said: “Matt is the perfect person to provide us with the continuity we need in the medical and sport science team, whilst we undertake a thorough process to find the right candidate to succeed Phil.

“The results of the hard work by our medical and sports science team over the last few years have been outstanding, and with Matt continuing to work closely with fitness coaches Antonio Dias and Joao Lapa, I expect this to continue.”