Sheffield United introduce Phil Jones as their new coach

Sheffield United have announced a coaching staff shake-up, introducing Phil Jones, a former Manchester United and England defender, as their new manager. He will succeed long-time assistant Alan Knill, who is leaving the club. The 34-year-old Jones comes from Blackburn Rovers, where he was most recently part of the coaching team under interim coach Michael O'Neill.

Knill has served as an assistant during all three of head coach Chris Wilder's tenures at Sheffield United and also previously worked with him at Northampton Town, Middlesbrough and Watford. Their collaboration began in 2008 when Knill was coach at Bury. Wilder expressed gratitude for the years of collaboration and emphasized that Knill played an important role in our mutual success.

“My connection with Alan goes back many years and he has been crucial to the success we have had together,” Wilder said on the club website. "He was not only an excellent coach, but also a great confidant. He leaves us with our thanks and best wishes for the future."



Former coach Micky Collins has been promoted to assistant coach, while Guilherme Ramos, who returned as Wilder last September, is leaving the club. “Micky has really impressed me since I returned to the club,” Wilder added. “He made the journey from the U21s to the first team and proved himself to be a talented coach who deserved more responsibility.

"Phil is a young coach who has played under some of the best and is now forging his own path in coaching. He will be tasked with helping across the team and has already had great coaching experience in Manchester United's academy and in the first team at Blackburn."

Sheffield United finished last season in 13th place in the Championship, 13 points off the promotion places.