Boothroyd will report into England Under-21s head coach Gareth Southgate and The FA’s director of elite development Dan Ashworth, taking up the role with immediate effect.
His first assignment will be to join up with Noel Blake’s U19s side as they prepare to take on Turkey in Chester this Wednesday and Boothroyd will take charge of England U20s from next season.
Speaking about his appointment, Boothroyd revealed: "I'm excited by this opportunity. Youth development is where it all began for me and I have taken on aspects of that into my management - that love of coaching and developing players has kept going.
"At Watford, I helped bring through players like Ashley Young and Ben Foster early in their careers, and more recently, I had Saido Berahino when I was Northampton Town manager - I have always wanted to bring young players through."
Southgate said: "We are delighted to have Aidy on board as a national coach.
"He joins the organisation with a wealth of coaching and management experience in both the Premier League and Football League and a strong background in developing young players.
"Aidy will join up with Noel Blake's U19s team next week, through to the end of their season, when he will lead our new U20s programme after the Toulon Tournament this summer. Aidy will add great qualities to our team of national coaches and I know he is looking forward to coaching to the philosophy of play which we are in the process of implementing."
Boothroyd and Southgate, the dream team!! English football is in safe hands!!
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Sad day for the development of young English players.
Bugger!
However as you guys he has a certain way of playing so either Boothroyd will have to change his own style or we will be going away from what the FA want to develop in terms of tactics etc.
Former Premier League and England U21 manager Aidy Boothroyd has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
The 54-year-old, who led Watford to Championship play-off glory in 2006, shared that he received the diagnosis three years ago during a routine health assessment by the League Manager's Association (LMA).
He has continued to manage in the time since being diagnosed, most recently taking charge of Indian Super League side Jamshedpur for the 2022/23 season.
“The news came as a massive shock to me,” said Boothroyd in a statement to the LMA.
“It has taken me time to feel ready to share my diagnosis, and I have found it difficult not being completely open with people.
“Personally, my passion and love for coaching is as strong as ever, I am focusing on keeping physically fit, which is key to slowing down the progression of Parkinson’s.
“I am ready to start the next chapter in my life. I would like to thank the LMA and Parkinson’s UK for their support.”
Boothroyd is most famed for his spell at Watford during 2005 and 2008, taking charge of their foray to the Premier League in 2006/07, a season which also saw them reach the FA Cup semi-final.
He also worked within the England setup for a number of the country’s youth teams, notably leading the England U21s to Toulon Tournament success in 2018.
The ex-defender, who bounced around the Football League during his playing days at the likes of Mansfield Town, Huddersfield Town and Peterborough United, also enjoyed managerial stints at Colchester United, Coventry City and Northampton Town.
“Aidy has displayed incredible positivity, resolve and determination since his Parkinson's diagnosis three years ago,” LMA CEO Richard Bevan said.
“His passion for football and people drives him on and he continues to play an active role in the LMA, as an almost ever-present senior member at our events and educational sessions.
“We care deeply for all our members, and Aidy’s attitude since his diagnosis has been an inspiration to our entire team as we continue to support him and his family throughout this unexpected and challenging time.”
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the brain and the nervous system.
Affecting nearly 10million people worldwide and over 150,000 in the UK alone, there is no cure or treatment to slow or stop the disease
Really feel for Aidy Boothroyd and his family and to get the news at just 51, three years ago would've been a bolt from the blue.