A former Owl is back as a coach at Hillsborough

Matt Hamshaw has been confirmed as Sheffield Wednesday’s new first-team coach.

The 44-year-old, who joined The Owls as a schoolboy in 1996 and played for the club between 1999 and 2005, winning promotion from League One, will be in the dugout alongside manager Henrik Pedersen for Saturday’s opening game of the season at Leyton Orient.

Hamshaw has won four promotions from League One with Rotherham United and Derby County as a coach. He tasted management for the first time with The Millers last season but was sacked in March.

Owls sporting director, Simon Wilson, said: “Matt arrives with the type of experience we were looking to add - he has been a serial winner in League One. In addition to the strong knowledge he possesses of League One and the Championship, he also has a very current understanding of the teams and challenges we will face this season. He brings something different to what we have within the coaching group, including a strong focus on set pieces, which we know is essential in today’s game.”

Hamshaw has replaced Craig Mudd, who has left to re-join Manchester City.

Wilson added: “I’d also like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Craig Mudd, whose departure for Manchester City created this opportunity. Craig made a significant contribution during an especially challenging period for the club. He was a popular member of staff and a talented coach, who will be missed, and we wish him every success with his next step.”

One of Hamshaw’s memorable moments from his playing days at Hillsborough was a brilliant solo goal in a win against Watford in the League Cup quarter-final in 2001, topped off by his ‘trumpet’ celebration in front of the Kop. He won promotion with Wednesday from the third-tier in 2005 but left that summer.