Sheffield Wednesday are all-in with Garry Monk after backroom staff reshuffle

The Garry Monk revolution is upon us.
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Sheffield Wednesday have backed their man with the comings and goings of the last few days, with wholesale changes to the Owls boss’ backroom staff finally arriving almost a year into the job.

It was confirmed earlier today that long-serving Wednesday figures Lee Bullen and Nicky Weaver – both former players at the club – would be moved to work with the club’s younger players, Bullen as coach of the under-23s and Weaver as head of academy goalkeeping. Neil Thompson will remain as part of Monk’s senior staff.

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They are effectively replaced in the senior ranks by new first-team coach Andrew Hughes and goalkeeping coach Darryl Flahavan, with James Beattie arriving as assistant manager. Both Beattie and Flahavan have vast experience of working with Monk previously.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk.Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk.

The switch places both Bullen and Weaver into jobs similiar to ones they have held previously.

Bullen acted as the club’s development head coach for four years before being promoted to work alongside Carlos Carvalhal with the senior side in 2015. Weaver, arrived as academy goalkeeper coach in 2014, replacing Andy Rhodes in the senior fold in 2018.

It brings to an end any lingering doubts over the Wednesday manager’s immediate future at the club after a poor second half to the season saw them finish in 16th place. Such a backing represents a bold move from the Hillsborough hierarchy and proves they are putting their faith in Monk’s ability to remould the club from the training ground up.

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The signing of Chey Dunkley on a free transfer is a positive move and one that brings a player with the sort of leadership abilities Monk has spoken so often about to the club.

A brave, physical defender, the former Wigan man has battled his way to Wednesday from non-league football having been released from Crewe as a teenager and offers a threat in both boxes having carved a niche for himself as a goalscoring centre-half.

Friday also saw the first glimpse of teenage midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in Owls colours as he trained at Middlewood Road alongside his new teammates.

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