George Boateng has left Rovers to join the Academy coaching staff at Aston Villa.

The Dutchman returns to his former club to take over as assistant manager of the Under-18s, working alongside Richard Beale.

Boateng arrived at Rovers last summer and was a popular figure around the Academy, largely working with the Under-13s.

Posting on social media, the 43-year-old said: "Thank you all for the warm welcome back, It’s great to be back at the club and it feels like I have never been away. Great group of boys and hopefully with Richard and myself help and guidance we will have a good season."

Boateng was thought to have applied for the vacant Under-23s post at Rovers, with both internal and external candidates under consideration for the job after Damien Johnson was promoted to the first team coaching staff.

Several high-profile figures, including former players, are understood to have applied, with Rovers keen to appoint Johnson’s successor as soon as possible.

Boateng gained experience of first-team management in Malaysia, where he also worked as a Director of Football. He was linked with manager’s job at Northern Irish side Coleraine earlier this year.