Sheffield United announce coaching reshuffle as departures and new arrival confirmed
Sheffield United have confirmed the departures of two key figures and announced the arrival of Phil Jones.
Sheffield United have confirmed the departures of Chris Wilder’s long-time assistant manager, Alan Knill, and first-team coach Guilherme Ramos.
The Star revealed almost a fortnight ago that a first-team coaching reshuffle was expected at Bramall Lane this summer, with Knill understood to be one of those moving on. The 61-year-old is understood to have been shocked when the news was delivered to him.
Knill returned to Bramall Lane alongside Wilder last September following Rubén Sellés’ swift departure. Current coach Micky Collins will replace Knill as Wilder’s assistant.
Furthermore, United have also confirmed the addition of former Manchester United and England defender Phil Jones to Wilder’s coaching team. He has arrived at Bramall Lane following a short stint as a first-team coach at Blackburn Rovers.
Jones, who is a Blackburn academy graduate, moved back to Ewood Park in February, becoming a member of former head coach Michael O’Neill’s coaching staff. He confirmed his exit from the Lancashire outfit last week.
On the changes to his coaching team, Wilder told the club’s website: "After stabilising last season, we are now looking to inject some fresh ideas into the group, and a collective decision has been made to make some changes behind the scenes.
"Micky is someone who has really impressed me since I came back to the club. He's followed the pathway from the U21s into the first team and has proved to be a talented coach who is deserving of some increased responsibility.
"Phil is a young coach who has played under some of the very best and is now forging his own pathway in coaching. He's coming in tasked with helping throughout the team and he's already gained some great experience coaching in the academy at Manchester United and with the first team at Blackburn last season. He is highly thought of at both clubs.
"Both are young and ambitious in the world of coaching and I'm looking forward to working with them.”